Pafos Live 20 August 2024
Issues of water supply, water supply, simplification in the issuance of planning and building permits, promotion of innovative practices to upgrade the quality of life of each Paphitis, upgrade of SAPA equipment, and innovative waste management at reduced cost for consumers, are some of the issues set in the priorities by the president of the Pafos District Organization Charalambos Pittokopitis.
"My highest priority is to improve the lives of the residents of the Pafos District, setting goals and a plan to solve the problems that fall within my responsibilities and duties, as well as promoting innovative practices to upgrade the quality of life of every Paphite," Mr. Pittokopitis said in an interview with CNA.
His vision is, as he said, to make the district of Pafos an area of progress, development and innovation with many new prospects and possibilities.
"My main goal and pursuit is to contribute to the upgrading and improvement of the quality of life for each of our fellow citizens with a targeted plan based on my vision, knowledge, experience and the feedback I receive from the constant contact and communication with the people of Pafos".
Indicatively, he said that it will contribute to the elimination of complex procedures, but also the lack of immediacy in serving the citizen, by adopting a policy that ensures a response to each request within a period of one month, from the submission of the request.
He also continued by utilizing an electronic system that provides automatic information and manages all applications and payments. "My goal is for citizens to be able to submit their applications electronically, pay fees and be immediately informed about the progress of their requests," he noted, while stressing that "we enhance transparency, improve efficiency and reduce service time."
He expressed confidence that I can "ensure transparency and straightforwardness in the management of resources, while at the same time I am always ready to respond to needs and listen to citizens' views".
He also pointed out that the issues of the environment and the quality of life of our fellow citizens and the active support of the countryside are constantly at the center of his interest and attention.
ISSUANCE OF PLANNING & BUILDING PERMITS
Regarding the issuance of planning and building permits, Mr. Pittokopitis told CNA that they immediately simplify complex and time-consuming procedures, adopting a new policy with a more anthropocentric approach. We are implementing an electronic system to simplify procedures and accelerate the completion of applicants' licensing, enhancing transparency for fair treatment of all.
"Our goal," said Mr. Pittokopitis, "is to reduce the inconvenience and additional costs resulting from time-consuming and bureaucratic procedures, to facilitate the acquisition of housing and safeguard the assets of each Paphitis, to strengthen the construction sector and the wider development of our District."
WATER SUPPLY
Regarding water supply issues, he said that they will solve the problems related to the Water Supply, Water Efficiency, Safety and Quality system by creating a Central Water Board as in other cities of Cyprus, by replacing old pipelines with modern and environmentally sustainable ones and by developing a chlorination system for high quality drinking water, as well as by implementing "smart water supply" with sensors and automated valves for constant flow and water saving.
Mr. Pittokopitis admitted that the Pafos District faces a serious problem with water. "Households are directly threatened by the lack of sufficient quantities of water," he said, describing as inevitable the fact that the issue of water supply is one of the first issues of concern to the Pafos EDA.
He announced that they are very close to a collaboration with the Center of Excellence "KIOS" in order to give them guidelines, advice and studies regarding water management, smart water supply and whether additional tanks will be needed to have enough water supply reserves in times of crisis, as it seems that they will be in the coming years in terms of water adequacy.
He also said that the Director of the Water Development Department, George Kazantzis, raised the issue that they should seriously and immediately study the creation of a second desalination plant in Paphos.
Following a briefing by Mr. Kazantzis, however, he said, what emerged is that their plans are for now to strengthen the capacity of the existing desalination plant.
He also added that they have clearly stated that there is a matter of necessity for the creation of a second desalination plant, which should be done in a place to be decided, as he said, at a later stage.
Mr. Pittokopitis said that he has also brought back an old issue concerning the Water Development Department, namely the creation of the dam between Episkopi and Agia Varvara, a project that began to be studied decades ago and which brought back to the news when he was in Parliament during the years 2016-2021.
He raised it again, he continued, a few days ago much more forcefully to the Director of the Water Development Department.
He also said that it is one of the issues he will also raise before the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Maria Panayiotou. It is, he continued, a state project and not a project of the EDA, but we will promote its creation, he added.
"My goal is the immediate service of the citizen by a central body, the assurance of the quality and constant flow of drinking water, without leaks and losses, and the availability of drinking water at affordable prices for all households," he stressed.
SAPA
Mr. Pittokopitis also announced that they will proceed with the upgrade of SAPA's equipment, the development of a geographic information system and a data and information management platform with a smart flow monitoring system for better and more efficient wastewater management.
By expanding the tanks of SAPA and upgrading the equipment with modern pumps. With the training and reinforcement of staff, but also the full utilization of the produced Biogas to maximize electricity savings and reduce operating costs.
"Our goal," he explained, is "to maximize cost savings and maximize efficiency in wastewater volume management, reuse treated water for watering parks, green spaces and agricultural use to save economic and natural resources, address water scarcity, protect the environment and develop sustainable communities."
LANDFILL
Finally, on waste and municipal waste management issues, the Pafos EDA President said in the interview with CNA that an innovative waste management will be implemented at reduced cost for consumers. Through the implementation of green technologies and innovative practices, the development of recycling, the circular economy, the upgrading of green spot management, the improvement of Integrated Waste Management Facilities and energy recovery to reduce the volume of waste ending up in places such as landfills.
Mr. Pittokopitis noted that the position of Regional Governor is undoubtedly a key position that requires skills in resource management, the development of political and strategic ideas for the prosperity of our country, as well as continuous communication with citizens.
He also pledged to work with the 16-member Council of the Pafos District Self-Government Organisation for the good of the District.
Finally, he pointed out that he continues with the irreversible goal of the common good and with responsibility and boldness, with the same principles and values that he has followed until today.
