He stressed the importance of joint participation of the whole of free Famagusta in the reform of local self-government in his statements to Famagusta.News the President of the Union of Communities of Famagusta and President of the Community of Acheritos, Michalis Kaounas. Mr. Kaunas analyzed the reasons why the decision was taken by the four of the five communities of free Famagusta for the creation of a single Municipality as well as the risks from the "haircut" of free Famagusta.
How did the joint decision for the unified Municipality for free Famagusta come about?
The joint decision of the four of the five communities of the free province of Famagusta came after a mature examination of the scenarios and their advantages as well as their disadvantages. We concluded, therefore, that the merger of the four Municipalities (Paralimni, Ayia Napa, Deryneia and Sotira) and the five communities (Avgorou, Acheritou, Achna, Liopetri and Frenaros) into a single Municipality has only positive benefits to offer to the residents. .
What are these benefits for citizens?
First of all, the citizens and the local officials must understand that there is a big difference in raising state and European funds based on mass population. This means that a Municipality of 45 thousand inhabitants will receive more funds than a Municipality of 10 or 15 thousand. If we do not meet this critical criterion of population mass, then the funds will be transferred to other provinces, as is the case today.
Also, the establishment of a Municipality which will consist of tourist and rural areas will contribute to a single economic development at all levels, since now, whether we like it or not, it will be necessary to develop the hinterland with all the positive that it means . Therefore, we will no longer talk about remote and isolated areas, but about a sustainable development in a single Municipality.
What risks do you see in case of non-realization of the vision for a single Municipality among the nine local authorities of free Famagusta?
The division or haircut of our free province causes only damage to the inhabitants but also wilting in most communities. It is inconceivable that an area of about 45, thousands of inhabitants would want to remain divided into two, three or five local authorities, once we are given this "golden" opportunity to coexist together. The example is that from 2013 until 2019 we remained united by common struggles as a free Famagusta. This brought many claims and many benefits, such as the transfer of Government Departments from Larnaca to the province they belong to (District Administration, Land Registry Department, Planning Department, District Court) as well as the expansion of Famagusta General Hospital.
What is your message to the citizens of free Famagusta and to your colleagues?
We call on the Municipalities and Communities of our free province, Paralimni, Ayia Napa, Deryneia, Sotira, Avgorou, Achna, Liopetri, Frenaros and my community Acheritou to join together in a common struggle that only has benefits to offer us. We live in a province where our metropolis and most of it is occupied, in a province that has suffered and is still suffering from the severe consequences of the invasion and occupation as well as from the economic crisis and the pandemic. It is important for every citizen to enjoy common benefits from Cape Greco to the river of Liopetri and from Agia Thekla to Achna and Acheritou. Let us not only think about how many kingdoms we will lose but the common good of our province.
Famagusta.News