The AKEL Member of Parliament for Famagusta, Skevi Koukouma, expresses her opinion on the relocation of the State Services, Land Registry and Urban Planning of Famagusta to Paralimni and the recent case with the new building.
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Everything that is revealed about the relocation procedures of the offices of the Famagusta Land Registry and the reactions of certain actors of free Famagusta offer many conclusions. It is extremely revealing that DISY citizens, including young people, who claim to bring new morals and air to local and political affairs, seriously claim that the Parliamentary Audit Committee, its deputies, organized groups and its residents of Famagusta we must overcome the possibility that a big meal has been set up at the expense of the Cypriot people, just to sell localism in view of the municipal elections.
First. For years, all bodies and residents of free Famagusta have been claiming the transportation of all provincial departments of state services within the boundaries of free Famagusta. This process has been started by the previous government but has been frozen by the current one. It would be useful to place the citizens of the ruling party, the municipal councilors, mayors and candidates, etc. for the inaction of their Government and to explain their own silence.
Secondly. Especially in relation to the Famagusta Provincial Land Registry (which is now housed in Larnaca), our position is that it should be moved to free Famagusta, but a small branch should remain in Larnaca to serve the scattered Famagusta refugees. throughout Cyprus. There is no reason to punish all the refugees from Famagusta and force them to move from Paphos to Paralimni, at a time when we can find solutions that satisfy everyone. It is therefore curious, because local DISY agents oppose such a solution.
Third. What is revealed about the bidding process, in order to find a suitable building, if nothing else, needs serious investigation. In 2014, tenders were announced for the rental of a building in the greater Free Famagusta area for the transfer of government services. Tenders were submitted for buildings located in Paralimni, Sotira, Deryneia, Liopetri etc.
A little later, however, some probably regretted and with a decision of the Council of Ministers announced new offers, limiting the search for a building for rent only in the Municipality of Paralimni. Why did this happen; Who did the Government want to serve with this change? Are they local interests? Are the interests financial? However, the public interest did not serve, since the amount of rent in the Municipality of Paralimni was much higher compared to the offers in other municipalities and communities of free Famagusta.
But the question marks do not stay here. While the offer included provision for 100 parking spaces, the rented building has only 52. In addition, the building was unfinished and the state will have to pay € 500.000 for the conversions and its completion instead of being paid by the owner.
Fourth and more interesting. The effortless question that comes to everyone's mind is who is finally the owner of this building, for whose sake the Government has reversed the procedures and in which the state will pay more than double what it should. The answer is that we do not know. The owner is a company registered in Panama! If DISY Famagusta, DISY Paralimni or its municipal councilors know who the company in Panama belongs to, it is good to enlighten the rest of free Famagusta.
Summing up all this, it is obvious that we are facing a case that, at least, needs further investigation. As far as AKEL is concerned, we are clear. All government services must be transferred to free Famagusta, but this will not be done for the benefit of some to the detriment of the Cypriot people. Purpose does not sanctify means. The most interesting of all is the demand of some in our province, who want to turn a blind eye to all this. Are all of them entitled to speak on behalf of free Famagusta or to ask for the vote of the people of Famagusta?
KOUTRA KOUKOUMA UTENSILS
Member of Parliament for AKEL Famagusta