Despite the minor problems that occurred in the first few days of the implementation of the Local Government reform, "everything is going smoothly and that is gratifying", said today the Minister of the Interior Konstantinos Ioannou, who visited the facilities where the licensing sector of the Provincial Self-Government Organization (EOA) was housed ) Larnaca, in the context of a tour he is carrying out to record difficulties that may be recorded in the operation of the newly established Organizations.
Mr. Ioannou stated that "the minor problems were expected, but I am very pleased with the information I received. This week was more about acclimatizing the staff. We expect from next week to get into a real rhythm of work and the various problems that arise will be solved along the way. But so far nothing substantial has been presented," he said. He noted that there were some technical problems in the system, which are being resolved by the working group set up with Officials of the Ministry of Interior and the private company.
Mr. Ioannou was given a tour of the offices of EOA Larnaca and was briefed by the President Angelos Hatzicharalambous and the management team of EOA Larnaca.
In his statements to the media, and asked to say if more applications were submitted and approved through the "IPPODAMOS" System since July 1, Mr. Ioannou stated that the number has not increased for now.
The Minister of the Interior stated that "the planning on paper is one thing and the implementation in practice is another, as is the case with any software system". "In the full development of the software, there were some - I repeat - very small problems, which are being resolved. So I expect from next week that it will be at a real pace and it will pay off", he said.
Then, responding to a comment on the revenues of the EOAs from urban planning and building permits and asked if there is any consideration by the Ministry to give 60% of these revenues to the Municipalities that claim them, the Minister of the Interior clarified that "60% of revenue from the licensing is granted to the Municipalities through the legislation".
He noted that "it is now institutionalized in the legislation. 60% of the licensing income to the Provincial Organizations should be returned to the Municipalities for the known reasons that exist and the rationale. Because with development, projects arise on the part of the Municipalities that must be done, to help the development".
"The problem occurs in the Provincial Organizations, because the Provincial Organizations, by giving 60% to the Municipalities, creates a huge deficit in the Provincial Organizations. The licensing revenue is just, more or less, the same as the costs. So with 60% being attributed, we estimate there to be a deficit of €12 million", explained Mr. Ioannou.
This, he continued, "we know, we have detected it for months. It was a problem of legislation to be solved, they had to be found somewhere. It certainly won't be with an increase in fees, that's what I want to clarify. We have already agreed with the President of the Union of Municipalities, so that in September we can start a discussion, see the real costs, since they will have the data, so that as a Government, as a State, we can help with a legislative regulation. In essence, the State must contribute a large part of this amount," he said.
He made it clear that whatever is done will be done after consultation. "Municipalities will not be deprived. On the other hand, we have to find this amount for the Provincial Organisations. It is a problem in the legislation, while 60% was foreseen, it was not included in any regulation how the deficit will be covered. We have been detecting this for many months. For this year it has been resolved. For next year we will find a solution", pointed out the Minister of the Interior.
He reiterated that "the fees will not increase, because even if the fees are increased, again 60% of the increase in fees will be attributed to the Municipalities. So in order to cover this damage, they have to increase about two and a half times, which is impossible, neither we nor anyone else wants it."
Mr. Ioannou also said that "this year the cost for the staff was budgeted by the Ministry of Interior, while at the moment it was budgeted with the Budget of the Ministry of Interior, it has been covered".
The President of the Provincial Organization of Larnaca, Angelos Hadjicharalambous, stated that "there is full understanding with the Minister of the Interior and the officials of the Ministry. I think he said that "we are making very good progress. With the beginning of the Provincial Organization of Self-Government of Larnaca there are minor problems. We are here, we are dealing with them in consultation with the Ministry and we do expect in the coming days that our production will increase both for licensing, but also for some other individual problems to be solved in the other pillars, specifically for water supply and drainage. Some problems that have arisen will be fixed and I believe that in the coming days and weeks we will be in full operation", said Mr. Hadzicharalambous.
Asked to say what the problems are regarding the water supply, the President of EOA Larnaca explained that "the new Organization took over 16 new areas". According to Mr. Hadzicharalambous, "the problems mainly concern dealing with damage". He added that all this is being regulated, expressing the certainty that in the coming days and weeks, the Organization will be in full operation.
As he said, "we are already dealing with the problems, it's just that there is something new for us. We will see the volume, assess it, to provide solutions where needed", noted Mr. Hadzicharalambous.
Announcement of EOA Larnaca
In the meantime, in his announcement about the meeting, the EOA Larnaca states that "the Minister expressed his satisfaction, as everything is going smoothly, despite the existence of small, but expected problems".
Regarding the number of issued building and urban planning permits, it is pointed out that they did not increase, due to technical problems in the "Ippodamos" system, which are being resolved by a specialized working group. "Within the next few days, an increase in the number of permits is expected, realizing one of the most important goals set by the EOA of Larnaca", it is noted.
Reference was also made, according to the announcement, "to the claim by the Municipalities of 60% of the revenues from licensing, an issue which will be resolved through legislative regulation, but without this leading to an increase in fees. Specifically, within September, the issue is going to be further discussed for the purpose of finding a golden ratio, making the EOA of Larnaca sustainable".
The President of the EOA of Larnaca, pointed out that "during this period of operation of the EOA of Larnaca, water supply and drainage issues arose which are due to the assumption of water supply services of 16 new Municipalities and Communities, but also to damages which were immediately and effectively handled".
Finally, he "asked for time credit as the initial stages of a change sometimes have difficulties and emphasized that through the close and continuous cooperation with the Ministry. Internal will be resolved", as stated.
Source: KYPE