The need for substantial and practical support from the State was highlighted during today’s meeting between the General Secretary of AKEL, Stefanos Stefanou and a delegation of the party with the President of Larnaka District Local Government Organization, Angelos Hadjicharalambous, in the presence of the members of the Council.

The meeting took place in the context of AKEL’s contacts with the main local government bodies and its aim was to discuss the serious issues related to the reform of local government.

The AKEL delegation that visited the Larnaka District Local Government Organization’s administration offices consisted of General Secretary Stefanos Stefanou, MP George Koukoumas, Local Government Affairs Officer Eleni Mavrou, District Secretary Chrystalla Antoniou and other party officials.

The President of the Larnaka District Local Government Organization expressed his full satisfaction for the convergence of views with AKEL and the party delegation, while stressing that the meeting was particularly constructive and beneficial.

The President of DLGOL Larnaka analysed the main problems, needs and challenges that have been recorded during the first four months of the Organisation’s operation, as well as the plan that DLGOL will implement in order to give citizens what they expect from the Organisation. Particular emphasis was placed on the need for proper and immediate staffing of the organization in order to be able to adequately provide quality services to the citizens of the city and province of Larnaka.

In particular, Mr. Hadjicharalambous stressed that although one of the biggest problems facing the organization is staffing, based on the available human and financial resources of the Organization, every possible effort was made to provide the necessary solutions. As can be seen, month by month the DLGOL is improving and improving at the same time the services offered to the residents of Larnaka and Larnaka District. At the same time, the President of the Organisation stressed that the support and cooperation of the political parties is a necessary condition for the reform to succeed and overcome any problems, always within the framework of collectivity and teamwork.

After the meeting, the General Secretary of AKEL, Stefanos Stefanou, expressed satisfaction with the work of the Organization to date and the positive image it presents, and pointed out that the key to the success of the Local Government Reform lies with the executive branch, which must support the entire effort. Mr. Stefanou called on the Government to work in this direction, giving space to the key actors of the reform. He stressed that it is important for the Government to respond to their demands, while at the same time quick and effective decisions should be taken, always in cooperation with the District Local Government Organizations.

Finally, the General Secretary of AKEL stressed that AKEL’s support and assistance are guaranteed.