We want a state that serves citizens

 

Statement by AKEL Parliamentary Representative Giorgos Loukaides, following visits to workplaces and government departments in Limassol

15 June 2022, AKEL C.C. Press Office, Nicosia

We began our visits to Limassol today with a meeting with the workers of the Limassol Water Supply Council and then we visited the Limassol-Amathus Sewerage Board where we saw the Mayor, Mr. Nikos Nicolaides, in addition to the board of the organisation.

We recorded issues and challenges they face. The first thing we noted is the implementation process of the reform of local government and the difficulties already encountered in this effort. We made a commitment that both in the Parliamentary Internal Affairs Committee and outside, we will monitor the progress of the Reform’s implementation and help to ensure that in the smoothest possible way we’ll all be ready by the date set.

With regard to the Sewerage Board of Limassol – Amathus (SALA), another serious difficulty was highlighted, which concerns the expansion of infrastructure in the western area of Limassol. We are talking about a 100 million euro project, which unfortunately is not progressing because of the negligence shown by government departments in three different Ministries. In this case too, we have committed ourselves to act in order to put pressure so that these important and necessary projects can go ahead.

With regard to the various departments of the Ministry of Labour that we have visited, we have had the opportunity, firstly, to learn about the important work that is being done and, secondly, to take note of what we already knew to a large extent. Namely, the problems that are presented, first of all, with regards the understaffing of the various departments, but also the need to promote more decisively the digital modernisation of these departments and services offered.

This is absolutely necessary because it is well known that, unfortunately, there is enormous inconvenience in all cases and in all departments, but also concerning basic issues that have to do with the pressing needs of citizens. Instead of people being served, they aren’t being served.

When we talk about allowances that are necessary to ensure people’s survival and which are slow to be granted, when we talk about the inability of people to communicate with the various departments, there is obviously a need for serious improvement and we are here to help precisely towards this end.

We want a state that does not inconvenience, but serves the citizens.