AKEL will contribute to the collective effort for the success of the Local Self-government Reform

Statement by Aristos Damianou, AKEL MP and Chairman of the Parliamentary Internal Affairs Committee

1 July 2024, AKEL C.C. Press Office, Nicosia

Today is a landmark day for local government. Our wish is that the transition to the new era is accompanied by upgraded services, more transparency and greater participation of local communities.

Over the past FEW years, AKEL has worked methodically, in cooperation with local government bodies and the executive power, with the aim of approving the laws for the Reform. We correctly judged that the previous regime in local government had come full circle and that modern needs demand the provision of better quality services, ensuring financial and administrative autonomy and expanding competences. Today, it is now up to local authority leaders and the executive to safeguard the smoothest possible transition.

Unfortunately, the two-year transition period granted by Parliament has not been sufficiently used, and as a result – despite the serious efforts made – there are still problems and open issues. The big challenge for the District Organisations of Local Government (DOLG) is the effective management of licensing. Failure is not an option.

AKEL will be present in the DOLG’s, Municipal Councils and the School Boards and through Parliament our Party will assist the collective efforts for the success of the Reform. This must be the sole goal.

We take this opportunity again to wish the newly elected officials every success in the fulfilment of their duties.