Problems that are expected to exist, as in any major reform, are recorded so far in the District Self-Government Organizations (EOAs), the Minister of the Interior, Mr. Konstantinos Ioannou, identified during his extraordinary visits today to the EOAs of Limassol and Larnaca. The visits took place in the context of the continuous evaluation of the course of the reform of the Local Government and the close cooperation that the Ministry seeks to have with the EOAs, in order to resolve any difficulties that arise. The Minister of the Interior was briefed on the difficulties faced by the newly established Organizations after their first month of operation, particularly in the area of development licensing.
Speaking to the representatives of the media after his visit to the EOA of Larnaca, Mr. Ioannou stated that his visits today to the two EOAs are part of the continuous monitoring of the progress of the reform and the operation of the Provincial Self-Government Organizations in the areas of licensing, drainage and water supply. As the Minister stated, there are difficulties, which were expected. "We have stated from the beginning that in a major reform there would be problems. There are already problems of different philosophies due to the amalgamation of staff from Municipalities and other urban planning authorities. There were some problems with the "IPPODAMOS" System, which have been resolved by the Deputy Ministry of Innovation," he said.
He added that there were some delays in issuing permits, noting that the number of permits issued in this first month is low. This, Mr. Ioannou continued, is largely due to the fact that it took time in the first weeks of EOA's operation to complete the move of staff, equipment and files. He pointed out that in Limassol District, the transfer of files from all Municipalities has not yet been completed.
"Now they (the EOAs) have entered a good path and we are moving forward. I was also informed by the President of EOA Larnaks about various actions, there are also some personnel problems, which, where we can, we will resolve them. Our goal is, in cooperation with the Provincial Organizations, which are now also autonomous Organizations, to help, so that they slowly reach the level that we have envisioned", said the Minister.
Asked to say whether most of the problems are recorded in the area of licensing, the Minister of the Interior said that problems are also observed in drainage and water supply, giving as an example the outdated water supply systems in some areas of Limassol and Larnaca, which will need to be replaced. He noted that most of the problems that affect the daily lives of citizens concern licensing, explaining that these were partly due to technical problems in the practical implementation of the "IPPODAMOS" System and which were largely resolved thanks to the quick reflexes of the contracting company and the Deputy Ministry of Research , Innovation and Digital Policy. According to the Minister, improvement actions are constantly being taken to deal with any problems that arise.
"There were also the issues, which we expected, that related to the different rhythms or philosophies from the various urban planning authorities that came together. And there is a challenge for Managers to reconcile the different philosophies. It will take some time. In every great reform these things happen. It is not something that worries us at this stage. They were problems that we expected, but that does not mean that we should not be alert and in communication where and where we can solve them", underlined Mr. Ioannou.
Continuing, he pointed out that the biggest problem that will concern him more urgently with the opening of the House of Representatives in September, concerns the payment of 60% of the EOA revenues to the Municipalities. "It is something that concerns us as a Government and which we consider that the Union of Municipalities together with the legislative authority should try to find a solution, because it is a decision made in 2022 to cut 60% from the EOAs, without any provision from where will this 60% be covered and this creates a big problem for the Provincial Self-Government Organisations", said the Minister.
Asked if this amount would be covered by the State's coffers, the Minister of Interior noted that if no solution was found, the State would have to resolve the issue. "But we will have to see the Parliament and the Union of Municipalities in cooperation with us, what is the best way to do this. There are several ways to do it. The important thing is that 60% must be given back to the Provincial Organisations. In the philosophy of the law is that they should be financially and administratively autonomous. In order to be financially independent, the revenues that are remunerative for the licenses must all stay in the funds of the Organizations, so that with their revenues they can make their Budgets. When you come and take away 60%, then they are not financially independent. So there is also a problem in the legislation itself. My view is that it should be given to the EOAs and then let's see what the actual amount, the actual costs are that should be given to the Municipalities. It is an issue that the legislative power itself must try to resolve," Mr. Ioannou characteristically said.
Responding to a question regarding the possibility of his intervention regarding the complaints of the municipal group AKEL of the Municipality of Dromolaxia-Meneos, which complains of its marginalization in the representation of the Municipality on the Board of Directors of the EOA, Mr. Minister pointed out that, based on the legislation, he cannot interfered and referred to the provisions of the law on the procedures of representation in the Boards of Directors of EOAs.
Subsequently, in a journalist's comment about the high rents and the difficulties that citizens face in meeting their housing needs, the Minister of the Interior referred to the integrated housing policy that for the first time in the history of the Republic of Cyprus was announced by the Government last October. "There was a housing policy before, and indeed with great success, such as the plans for mountainous and arid regions, but these concerned some individual issues. We have announced the urban planning incentives, there is great interest. We have received about 18 applications of interest. So there is a lot of interest and we expect in September and October that several applications will be submitted either for the urban development incentives or for the "Built to Rent" Scheme. The other two pillars which are the "Renovate-Rent" Plan and the sponsorship for young people, we have been ready for some time now, we are waiting for the legal technical control - which I hope will be completed in the next few days by the Legal Service -, in order to announce these two Plans, which will greatly help to increase the housing stock", underlined Mr. Ioannou.
For his part, the President of the EOA of Larnaca, Mr. Angelos Hatjicharalambous, described the meeting with the Minister of the Interior as very constructive, saying that there was an exchange of views on the first days of operation of the EOA. "We discussed the issues and the practical solution to the difficulties we have for the proper functioning of the Organizations. We are in full agreement with the Ministry, we have a common goal, which is none other than to make sure that the reform, the Provincial Self-Government Organization and the goals we set are successful", noted Mr. Hadjicharalambous. He added that meetings have been instituted for continuous mutual information.
Asked to report on the problems faced by the Organization in its first month of operation, the President of EOA Larnaca spoke about the technical problems of the "IPPODAMOS" System, which are being handled. He added that there are some staffing problems pending the Budget, in order to proceed with the permanent staffing procedures of the Agency.
In relation to the water supply, Mr. Hadzicharalambous said that in some communities the network needs to be replaced, noting that actions have been taken to handle it.
Asked about this, Mr. Hatjicharalambous said that the EOA of Larnaca issued around 50 applications, a reduced number, pointing out, however, that several applications have been examined and the permits will be issued in the coming days. EOA Larnaca received approximately 1.650 town planning applications and around 2.800 building applications, which will be examined on the basis of a plan, he said.
Finally, the President of EOA Larnaca assured that the Organization is now operating at a better pace, after the first period of the change, and said that solutions have been launched and their results are awaited, to speed up the procedures and the service to the citizens.