Pafos Press 22 August 2024
The implementation of the reform in Local Government does not begin with the "best omens", said the President of the Union of Paphos Communities Michalis Nikandros, referring to a series of problems and difficulties, although at the same time he emphasizes that there can be no excuse on their part for failure of this bold venture.
"An effort that started about 15 years ago is now starting to be implemented after many setbacks due to the economic crisis that hit our country ten years ago and secondly due to party expediencies that constantly postponed decision-making, either by the Ministry of the Interior, or by the House of Representatives," he said.
"The studies of Greek, Italian and English experts on the TA Reform paid for by the Cypriot taxpayers, which predicted 12 or 14 viable Municipalities throughout Cyprus, were thrown into the wastebasket and after party deals resulted in the creation of 20 Municipalities, some of which is of questionable sustainability," he argued.
The result, according to Mr. Nikandros, is the weakening of the communities, removing from the Union of Communities 63 Communities and tens of thousands of population which they integrated into the Municipalities at the expense of the Complexes.
They gave a two-and-a-half-year extension to our previous term, he continued, "in order to prepare so that from the first day of assuming the duties of the new Community Councils and the Councils of the Clusters, we can start work".
He added that however "there was little to little of those who had to make the decisions" and authorize them to proceed with their own actions for the selection of the Headquarters of Each Complex to prepare the building facilities in which the Board of Directors and staff will be housed of the Complex, the recruitment of the staff and so many others.
He also referred to the last two months during which, as he asserted, "many give urgent instructions or even orders to the Community Councils and the Service Complexes to proceed yesterday in carrying out a lot of work, knowing full well that in most Community Councils there is not a single staff member ».
Despite this, continued Mr. Nikandros, the reform has begun and he declared that "we have a duty and an obligation" to those who voted for them and entrusted them with their vote to manage everything related to the Communities and Complexes, that " their choices, i.e. us, were correct."
He added that there can be no excuse on their part for the failure of this bold project of Local Government Reform and expressed the expectation that through the Reform they will upgrade the services offered to the citizens of the Communities.
He also said that in order for this to be possible there must be a spirit of cooperation between them, noting that the inclusion of Communities in Clusters and the creation of Provincial Local Government Organizations are major intersections in our country and that a great effort will need to be made on their part to achieving their goals.
He also announced that soon, after the summer holidays, they will be given the opportunity to meet several times through seminars and training programs organized by the Union of Communities and the Academy of Local Self-Government with the aim of informing/training the Elect, i.e. the Mayors and Community Councillors , as well as the staff of Community Councils.
