The issue of the creation of accommodation structures for minors is back in the spotlight, after the letter sent by the Ministry of the Interior on July 30, to the affected Municipalities and the community of Moni, calling on them to lift any reservations they have in relation to the planning.
In the letter, the Ministry of the Interior points out the need to create the specific structures and calls on the Local Authorities to reconsider their stance. At the same time, it leaves open the possibility of holding a meeting, in which the Director of Social Welfare Services could also participate, with the aim of discussing the issue and finding solutions.
However, one by one, the affected Municipalities make it clear publicly that they do not intend to change the decisions they have already taken. After the Municipality of Latsia-Geri, which issued a statement asking for a written assurance for the definitive withdrawal of the plans to create accommodation structures for minors, it was the turn of the Municipal District of Germasogeia yesterday.
The Deputy Mayor of Germasogeia, Christos Papamichael, convened an extraordinary meeting of the Council of the Municipal District, with the sole subject of the letter of the Ministry of the Interior regarding the creation of Child and Adolescent Protection Homes in the area.
Unanimous "no" from Germasogeia
Speaking to Filenews, Mr. Papamichael stated that during the extraordinary session, the Municipal District of Germasogeia unanimously decided to take a negative position, once again, on the creation of juvenile structures in the area.
"And I emphasize it once again, because it is the third time that the Local Government is called upon to discuss and decide on the exact same issue," he said characteristically.
As he explained, the first negative decision was taken by the then Municipality of Germasogeia and the second by the Municipality of Amathus. "Today, three years later, the same question is essentially coming back, this time from a different Ministry," he noted.
He spoke of "mockery of the Local Government by the Government", arguing that this should now stop.
"We have already sent two clear negative answers and, after the plenary session of the Municipal Council on September 3, I estimate that a third one will be given," he said.
The deputy mayor of Germasogeia stressed that it is not possible for a clear position and decision of the Local Government to be constantly put under review, "simply because another Ministry is bringing the same issue back".
"The state must respect the decisions of the Local Government"
He also underlined that the state must ask for the opinion of the Local Government, but above all respect it. "Our opinion cannot be asked just to fulfil a formal procedure and then be ignored, as unfortunately we saw happen in the case of the mall in Agios Athanasios," he said.
As he added, Local Government is the institution that is next to the citizen every day and knows the needs, concerns and particularities of each region.
"Finally, let them allow it to function as a real and stable pillar for the citizen and let the central state start listening to and respecting its decisions," he concluded.
What does the letter of the Ministry of the Interior say?
It is noted that on July 30, a letter was sent by the Ministry of Interior to the Mayor of Larnaca, the Mayor of Latsia-Geri, the Mayor of Amathus and the President of the Community Council of Moni.
The letter refers to the ongoing planning by the Social Welfare Services and the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare for the creation of nine Child and Adolescent Protection Homes.
The Ministry points out that this is an urgent need and explains that these houses will be mixed family-type structures, integrated into society, with access to public health services, schools and public transport.
The goal, according to the Ministry, is to individually meet the needs of the children who will be accommodated in the structures. At the same time, the letter points out that it is the first time that the state seeks to develop at the same time, on a nationwide basis and on pieces of state land, nine child and adolescent protection projects.
The Ministry also states that, realizing the expressed reservations of the Municipalities and the Community for the specific projects, it invites them to remove any reservations that exist on their part about the planning. As emphasized, the implementation of the plan will contribute to ensuring children's rights, as well as social well-being and cohesion.
Finally, the Ministry of Interior notes that, in case it is considered appropriate to hold a meeting to discuss the issue and find solutions, it is at the disposal of the Local Authorities for its organization, with the participation of the Director of Social Welfare Services.
