The big bet of the Provincial Local Government Organisations

The reform of Local Self-Government is an issue that has always concerned ETEK.

At a general level, ETEK had publicly advocated the reduction of Municipalities, noting, among other things, that the existence of 31 local authorities with independent operation for a series of important issues concerning the service of a population of the order of 750 thousand inhabitants, is neither sustainable nor rational and ultimately this has an impact on the services offered to the citizen and the local economy. ETEK has always had a special interest in the unified principles of licensing and development control and therefore has made special public statements and interventions.

Based on the Provincial Self-Government Organizations law which was published a year ago, issues and responsibilities related to water supply, sewage systems, domestic waste as well as issues of licensing and control of building development are taken over by the five new provincial self-government organizations. This is an extremely important and far-reaching reform which will affect the daily life of citizens, businesses and professionals. In terms of importance, common characteristics and degree of difficulty, the reform in question could be compared with the implementation of the GESY after the passage of the relevant legislation.

Fortunately, the transfer of these important responsibilities to the provincial level creates the prospect of exploiting economies of scale. It also helps to create critical mass and acquire expertise, facilitates digitization and investments for e-government, creates the one stop shop in licensing and control of development and generally creates the conditions for exploiting synergies since related technical activities will be under the same roof. In this regard, the prospect of strengthening the technocratic nature of provincial organizations in general and in terms of development control in particular is strengthened.

Regardless of the above, it should be noted that there are significant obstacles and challenges for the smooth transition to the new provincial organizations, in addition to the political risk that exists such as labor issues, change management, culture issues, resistance to change, infrastructure and equipment issues , issues of work organization and in general management of the critical transitional period during the transfer of responsibilities. It is also recognized that the organization and transition to the new regime is a titanic task which requires leadership, resources, detailed planning and close monitoring.

While this is an extremely important reform unfortunately it has not been given due publicity nor extensive public debate on the matter. The ETEK with a recent decision of its General Council confirmed that this is a matter of high priority for it and for the purpose it intends to delve into different aspects of the matter and formulate a position and opinion on various issues that have a technical aspect or extension.

In this context, the Chamber started an effort to listen to the views and concerns of the coordinators of the District Councils being created. At first, several challenges and difficulties were apparent, while the planning and progress of the work for the creation of the new Provincial Self-Government Organizations so far is not satisfactory. On the contrary, one could say that it is disturbing.

More generally, ETEK had noted that for a number of issues such as the utilization of technology, the exercise of building control, the organization of work, it is preferable to study and implement radical solutions from the beginning rather than to make an effort to marginally improve the existing situation or “marriage” incompatible systems or existing work organization methods.

The new Minister of the Interior, Konstantinos Ioannou, has taken on yet another difficult and important mission. It has as a positive legacy the implementation of the GESY, i.e. the transition from the law to a health system which functioned under adverse conditions in a very satisfactory manner. He has something similar in front of him in relation to the operation of the Provincial Local Government Organisations. The transition from law to practice, especially with all the challenges, difficulties and time pressure, is just as, if not more, important than passing each reform. In this regard, we must not forget that the portfolio of the Ministry of the Interior has other important challenges and difficult issues, beyond the stake of the Provincial Local Government Organizations.

ETEK, which traditionally has a very good cooperation with the Ministry of the Interior on a number of topics, he wishes the new minister every success in the difficult tasks he undertakes, noting that he is at his disposal to help in any way he can in this extremely important, but full of challenges, reform before him.

Konstantinos Constantis

President of ETEK

Source: eurokerdos.cyprustimes.com

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