Interior minister tackles district staffing and licensing delays

Interior Minister Konstantinos Ioannou addressed the staffing challenges faced by the district administrations during a meeting with the six district officers on Thursday.

The meeting focused on several key issues impacting the effectiveness of local governance, including staffing, the licensing of developments, as well as ways to expedite the issuance of permits and address outstanding issues.

Ioannou highlighted that the budget for the Larnaca district administration had been approved by the cabinet, allowing for the recruitment of permanent staff to address the current staffing gaps. He emphasised that this move was crucial for overcoming practical difficulties faced by the district administrations and ensuring smoother operations moving forward.

The budgets for the other district administrations, including Nicosia, Paphos, Limassol, and Famagusta, are also under review, with some expected to be approved in the coming weeks.

The minister and district heads also addressed improvements to the “IPPODAMOS” licensing system, the progress of ongoing reforms, and the financial sustainability of the district administrations.

Ioannou also informed the district heads of the ministry’s plan, in collaboration with the Cyprus Scientific and Technical Chamber (Etek), to implement a similar procedure for issuing urban planning certificates for developments of up to two homes and other applications. Consultations with Etek are nearly complete, with announcements expected soon.

Ioannou reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening local authorities as part of the broader reform effort aimed at improving public administration.

“There is excellent cooperation with the DLAs, and our goal is to hold regular meetings so that, in a few months, we can successfully accomplish the major challenge set for the district local authorities as part of the reform process,” he noted.