The municipal councils of Latsia-Geriou and South Nicosia-Idalion are due to hold an informal joint meeting on Monday afternoon to discuss the suitability of the plot at Agios Sozomenos chosen for the new Central Prisons, and the lack of prior information given to local authorities. Speaking to CNA, the two mayors, Christos Pittaras and Stavros Hadjigiannis, said the aim is to carry out a preliminary analysis of the data and agree a common position.
Purpose of the joint meeting
Stavros Hadjigiannis, Mayor of South Nicosia-Idalion, said that since the two mayors had been expressing personal views for two weeks on the decision to build the prisons, he proposed the informal meeting so that councillors from both municipalities could also state their positions, allowing the councils' views to then be expressed officially.
He said the suitability of the plot and the decision being taken without prior consultation with local authorities were expected to be high on the agenda.
Mr Hadjigiannis clarified that the local authorities are not opposed to the development of state infrastructure, a position which, he said, was also made clear in a letter sent to the President of the Republic.
"Regarding this specific plan, we would like to be informed beforehand and enter into a process of exchanging information and assessing parameters with the Ministry of Justice," he said, adding that they consider the plot unsuitable for human habitation.
Consultation and the European Charter
Answering a question, Mr Hadjigiannis said the lack of consultation with local authorities violates the European Charter of Local Self-Government.
"We cannot be discussing a project worth €300 million in a municipality while the municipality is absent from the entire planning process," he said.
Concerns over the plot
Mr Hadjigiannis said it is not known in which part of the plot the prisons are planned to be built. He noted that there are pig farms and livestock units on one side, while a tertiary wastewater treatment plant operates on the other. The plot, he said, borders Agios Sozomenos, a community which the state should prioritise restoring.
"If we had known, we would have expressed technical views so that the best possible planning could be carried out," he said.
Referring to the minister's decision to prepare a Masterplan costing €100,000 to €200,000 and then inform the local community, he questioned what would happen if the plan proved unsuitable because of odours.
Next steps and the Minister of Justice
Christos Pittaras, Mayor of Latsia-Geriou, said the informal joint meeting would aim to reach a common position, to be presented at a meeting with the Minister of Justice.
He explained that, after the minister briefs the mayors, the issues would be discussed by the municipal councils for further decisions, handling and political management.
Asked whether a meeting with the minister had been scheduled, Mr Pittaras said it had not. He said, however, that after the joint meeting the mayors would contact the minister and convey the councils' common positions.
"We are not opposed to any government project, but what we want, and what did not happen with the project under discussion, is for consultation to precede the announcement of decisions for projects within our municipal boundaries," he said.
Why the meeting is informal
Mr Pittaras clarified that the meeting is informal because it is not being held within the framework of each council's statutory meeting. He added that this first joint meeting aims to carry out a preliminary analysis of all the data and brief the councils through the two mayors, so that they have the "green light" for further action.
Source: CNA
