01.07.2024
The first day of the Neighborhood Organizations (EOAs) went smoothly and coordination is expected to be even better in the coming days. The first applications have already been received through the Ippodamos system, and the first building permit under the new conditions has been issued.
Konstantinos Ioannou noted that some difficulties would arise in the coming days, but this was to be expected, given that the staff of the ten urban planning and 36 construction departments that existed before June 30, 2024 are now united under one organization and in one place.
He added that, along with sufficient staffing, “we have successfully embarked on the reform of urban planning itself, adopting 22 measures to simplify the already existing permitting process, capped by a single standard for both urban planning and building permits. So now everyone works the same way. With all this, we expect that the number of applications being considered will increase.”
Speaking about pending applications, Konstantinos Ioannou noted that they will continue to be processed with the same priority as previously established, with the aim of being processed in a much shorter time due to the measures already taken.
When asked if the reform had started in the same way in other areas besides Nicosia, Konstantinos Ioannou replied that, according to the information he has, new offices will also open in Paphos in the coming days.
EOA President Nicosia Konstantinos Yortzis called on all employees and citizens to show patience in the first period and perseverance to achieve the goal of local government reform.
However, he noted that the staffing of the Organization would soon be completed, and also indicated that the staff had already been familiarized with the general Manual and the Hippodamos system to comply with uniform procedures.
