The government’s decision to privatize CYTA would be a crime
Statements by AKEL C.C. Spokesperson Stefanos Stefanou on the General Auditor’s Report on the semi-governmental organization Cyprus Telecommunications Authority CYTA
AKEL C.C. Press Office, 14 February 2019, Nicosia
The Auditor General has pointed out several issues with regards the Cyprus Telecommunications Authority CYTA, which either refer to its wrong practices or raise various questions. AKEL asked for further clarifications, put questions, replies were given to some questions, while on some others we are waiting for the reply of the Board and management of the Authority in writing.
Through the positions expressed the President of CYTA’s Board, but also what has been submitted, it has been confirmed that CYTA’s role in the economy, society, for Cyprus’ technological and digital upgrading and Cyprus itself is extremely critical.
For CYTA to fulfil this crucial role, the Authority must maintain its character. It must continue to be a public organization which, of course, needs to be modernized in order to further enhance its efficiency and flexibility so as to strengthen transparency and further reduce operating costs without reducing at all the quality of services provided and without the fulfilment of its role being obstructed. For society and the economy to continue to receive the millions that CYTA gives as a dividend to the State.
It should be noted that the Cyprus economy as a whole and state have since 2002 received 800 million Euros as a dividend from CYTA.
All of this and much more substantiate why CYTA must not be privatized. It will be a crime if the government’s decision to privatize CYTA were to eventually proceed. We will continue to defend the public character of CYTA and at the same time keep on calling on the Board to improve the Authority’s operation so that it can successfully tackle the tough competition that exists in the sectors in which it is active. To ensure its future as a public organization and to be able to fulfill its critical role for the economy, society and our country in general.
