Memorandum with 13 issues, which, as he mentioned, need to be dealt with immediately, the Mayor of East Paphos, Nikos Palios, presented to the President of the Movement in the context of their meeting today Ecologist – Citizens' Cooperation Giorgos Perdikis. Among them, development issues in the region, environmental issues, the implementation of the local government reform, and the utilization of the old KEN.
In his statements after the meeting, Mr. Perdikis said that they will do everything they can to support the Municipality in this difficult transitional period, during which it turns into a larger Municipality with more apartments.
He reminded that they had supported as a Movement the request of the residents of Geroskipou to remain a separate Municipality, adding that they have a responsibility, duty and pleasure to support the Municipality of East Paphos to achieve its separate autonomous course.
Mr. Perdikis noted that the requests submitted by the Municipality of East Paphos specifically concern the Municipality of East Paphos but also the new Municipalities as they have been formed with the new TA reform plan. There are, he said, many issues that we need to address.
Regarding the priorities he will give as a Movement to the requests of the East Pafos Municipality, Mr. Perdikis raised the financial issue. He said, “the new Municipalities must be given the opportunity to operate the new financial tools, to acquire the staffing, the personnel and to be able to have the corresponding collections, providing good and correct services to the citizens, so that the goal can be achieved which are better services at the lowest possible cost.
Mr. Perdikis also referred to the coastal road that affects a Natura area, the archaeological site with plans to build a hotel on a piece of the Archdiocese, the issues of animal management, and the implementation of the “Pay As I Fly” system that in a few months will is mandatory, noting that in the Paphos area there is a problem with its implementation.
He added that their fears are confirmed by recalling a statement by the President of the Environment Committee, Charalambos Theopeptou, that he doubts the law's enforceability. He also noticed, to his regret, as he said, that the Municipalities and society are not prepared to implement this European directive.
Eastern Paphos Mayor Nikos Palios called Mr. Perdikis to strengthen the efforts of the TA and the promotion of requests that concern the Municipality, such as the issue of the operation of the Christoforos Neophytos Hatzilambris Regional Medical Center saying that as TA they expect its full staffing from OKYPY since it is currently under-functioning.
Furthermore, in his memorandum, Mr. Palios raised the issue of the removal/relocation of the Achelia Livestock Station of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, which is located near the residential area, while he noted that the Municipal Council, proceeded in the exercise of an appeal against the urban planning permit concerning the construction of a CONDOS type hotel unit on a beach block, property of the Holy Archdiocese of Cyprus.
The Municipal Council, due to the great archaeological and historical value of the finds there, insists, as it said, on the continuation of the excavations throughout the area, with the aim of fully revealing the monument, its rescue and, finally, its emergence.< /p>
He also referred to the delay of the Department of the Environment in the implementation of the waste reduction program of beach hotel units and related mass waste production sites, to problems from the implementation of the System of Sorting at Source and Separate Collection of Recyclable and Organic Waste, as well as to problems of implementing the “I pay” System As I Fly”.
He also raised the issue of amending the Law on Swimming Pools so as to solve many existing problems.
Regarding the reform of Local Government, Mr. Palios noted that in order to be able to serve your citizens and offer quality services, you must also have staff.
Unfortunately in recent years we have been underperforming and we are still waiting to receive the approvals of the relevant Ministries to be staffed, he said, adding that the staff of the Municipality make superhuman efforts and carry out duties beyond their service plans.
Regarding the utilization of the old KEN Geroskipou, Mr. Palios mentioned that the Municipality proceeded to purchase from the Bank of Cyprus the area occupied by the old silk factory-former KEN Paphos (26757 square meters).
It has been going on for a while now, a reflection has begun to develop on which or which uses should be given to this land, so that we are led to the reuse of a space of particular importance for Geroskipou, a property with high capital gains.
Among the ideas that have been submitted, is the hosting of a university school(s).
Finally, Mr. Palios referred to the problems faced by the Municipality of East Paphos due to the shortcomings, as he said, of the Law on Dogs, regarding the operation of the Colony Green Point and the extension of its operating hours, as well as the amendment of the Law on Dogs Real Estate (Commonly Owned Buildings – Management Committees) as well as in the matter of illegal vehicle guarding operations around Paphos Airport.
Source: KYPE
