An announcement regarding yesterday's report of the Auditor General in which the name of the Municipality of Sotira is attempted to be involved was issued today by the local authority. The announcement talks about the efforts of the Municipality of Sotira for development, which collide with the wall of bureaucracy and the timeless "obstacles, as mentioned, for the Savior to remain stagnant".
Read the announcement as it is:
Regarding the involvement of the name of the Municipality of Sotiras in an Audit Service Report entitled "Developments of Interests of a Specific Politically Exposed Person, within or near the Natura 2000 Network in the Municipality of Sotiras", the Municipality of Sotiras after a plenary session of the Municipal Council 23 wishes to clarify the following:
1. The Mayor, the Municipal Council and the Municipality of Sotira in general have never "turned their backs" on any illegalities as it may be implied either in the said report or in the reports of some media. Instead, the few staff of the municipal service, faithfully follow the instructions and suggestions of the competent departments, as happened in the present case with development in the coastal area of Agia Thekla in the Municipality of Sotira. Also, after the detection and the detection of illegalities, it took the appropriate actions as other local authorities in Cyprus should do. In fact, we have repeatedly stated that we are ready to proceed within the framework of the powers given to us by law to take additional measures, which will be indicated to us by the competent state services, the instructions of which we always follow and execute.
2. Regarding the remarks made about the Regeneration Plan of the Sotiras Coastal Front, which without being related to the subject of the report, and nevertheless occupies a large part of it, the Municipality of Sotiras wishes to clarify that the primary and declared goal it has is the one of sustainable development and the consequent planning that is done, is always after consultation with the competent departments and services, respecting the laws. Mainly in the context defined by the Natura 2000 network and the protection of the environment. In the case of the planning for the regeneration of the Sotiras coastal front, all procedures were duly followed. A study was prepared for landscaping and upgrading of the coastal front, which focuses mainly on the construction of a sidewalk-bike path about three kilometers long, a few meters wide and with gentle developments. Also, everything that was done by the Municipality for the specific proposed project, has been submitted so as to receive approvals from all without exception the competent departments and services, in order for the Municipality to be lawful and not contrary to any national or community legislation. It is also recalled that this is a proposed project and that apparently no work has been started. After all, any "predation" intentional or unintentional, we know first hand that it will have an impact on the titanic efforts we make to secure the required permits and approvals and especially the necessary funding for the renovation project. We note with indifference that for various reasons some using the Natura regime as a pretext believe that the Municipality of Sotira should remain stuck and stagnant. We remind you that the provisions of Natura, in no case prohibit the execution of projects nor do they condemn the integrated areas to remain stuck. We feel as a local community that we are being wronged, because while we are moving within the framework required by national and Community legislation on the subject, to overcome reefs arising from the inclusion of the entire coastal area Sotira in Natura network, the strictness is largely exhausted in the Municipality Savior, whom some may see as the poor relative. This feeling is intensified when we see smooth progress of projects that do not comply or do not have the appropriate permits and approvals from the urban or environmental authority. This development is a breath of fresh air which is expected to change the image of the area for the better, and without emphasizing any environmental or other burden.
3. Finally, with regard to the recommendations made in the report of the Audit Office, these will be studied and after consultation with the competent government agencies and with their guidance, irregularities which may be identified will be corrected. Also, there will be an extensive response to all the points mentioned by the Audit Service by the legal advisor of the Municipality.