AKEL Famagusta requests the government and the competent ministries to transform the promises and announcements into projects for the free area of Famagusta.
The 27th District Conference, which took place on May 6-7, 2017, discussed and approved a memorandum to the competent ministries in which the problems of the free area of Famagusta are recorded and the implementation of projects is requested.
In the chapter of development policy, the Conference concluded that it was degraded under the government of Nikos Anastasiadis. Special mention was made of Anastasiadis' visit to the region in the summer of 2015 and of the well-known project announcements, the majority of which, as emphasized, remained on paper. "There are no projects for education and sports in the development planning of the government, there are no projects and measures to reduce unemployment, nor for health and rural development," reads the memo in which AKEL Famagusta's suggestions are recorded as follows:
- Immediate implementation of the fishing shelter on the Liopetri River.
- Construction of a marina in Paralimni.
- Construction of a sports center in the free area of Famagusta.
- Beginning of the third phase of the coastal pedestrian street in Protaras.
- Construction of the Olympic standard swimming pool in Deryneia.
- Construction of the project of Stadiou Street in Deryneia and Famagusta Avenue in Sotira.
- Construction of a multipurpose room at the XNUMXnd Primary School of Deryneia.
Environment
- To form a bicycle network between Cape Greco, Lake Paralimni, River Liopetri and other points of special interest in the area, which connects the coastal areas with the hinterland.
- Take all measures to protect the unique natrix water snake - natrix in Lake Paralimni.
- Water supply to the Achna Forest dam for the purpose of protection of fauna and flora and promotion of the landscaping and utilization project of the area.
- To take measures to protect the health of the inhabitants of Kofinou from the uncontrolled operation of the industrial units.
- Completion of the construction of the biological sewage station and immediate operation of the sewerage system of the Kokkinochorion Sewerage Council.
- Creating "Green Points" where there is a need.
- Immediate implementation of the decision for improvement and development of the area of the "Liopetri River".
Education
The 27th Provincial Conference considers that the government should include and promote in its immediate planning the following projects, which are related to education:
- Construction of a Lyceum in Deryneia.
- Construction of a Gymnasium in Ayia Napa.
- Construction of 5th Elementary School in Paralimni.
- Creation of new pre-primary in the areas where there is a need.
Health
For the Health sector, AKEL Famagusta sets as priorities the support and reorganization of state hospitals. In particular, reference is made to the General Hospital of Famagusta, which, as it is emphasized, is completely absent from the planning of the Anastasiadis government. "We note that its staff is very deficient, with the result that its potential is not fully utilized and it is unable to meet all the needs of the residents of the area," emphasizes AKEL, which proposes:
Reinforcement of the General Hospital of Famagusta with medical and nursing staff.
In the first phase, the intensive monitoring unit should be staffed and operated.
Establish a rehabilitation center for patients in the empty areas of the hospital.
To operate an occupational therapy unit for children.
Upgrading and improving the operation of Rural Medical Centers.
Tourism
Of course, a memorandum concerning the free area of Famagusta cannot lack reference to tourism. The Conference stressed the need to modernize and radically reform tourism policy, through a new strategic development plan, so that tourism, especially in free Famagusta, becomes better quality, acquires identity and successfully tackles seasonality.
This reform, as pointed out, should focus on exploiting the comparative advantages of the following proposals:
- To highlight the new forms of tourism and to enrich the traditional shape "sun and sea". To highlight Cyprus as a safe destination.
- To significantly strengthen the identity of our tourism product and gradually promote our relative independence from travel organizers.
- To contribute to the upgrading and enrichment of the tourist areas and the modernization of the infrastructures and especially of the road network.
- Implement new initiatives in the institutional framework and at the level of economic policy.
- To constantly invest and upgrade human resources. Respect the regulated employment conditions and the labor relations system, based on consultation and free collective bargaining, elements that ensure the quality level of the tourism product.
The memorandum also includes proposals for agricultural policy, cages, social protection and refugee polling stations for elections in occupied municipalities / communities.
Source: HARAVGI / Tasos Perdios