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The Ministry of Interior’s decision to return 28 public employees from the technical department of the Limassol District Local Government Organisation (EOA) to the Town Planning Department, effective 1 January 2026, is causing strong reactions and concerns over delays in licensing and development.
In a statement, DISY MP Nikos Sykas says the decision “creates a serious problem and undermines the development momentum of the city and the district.”
The issue concerns all five District Local Government Organisations, however, as he notes, “in Limassol the largest volume of licensing applications is recorded, new and existing.”
According to Sykas, the removal of experienced staff will have immediate consequences. He warns that “the Limassol EOA will not be able to respond to the already increased needs, resulting in serious delays that will burden the local economy, development, and citizens.”
While acknowledging the pressures faced by the Town Planning Department, he stresses that this approach is unacceptable. “There are real and pressing needs in the Town Planning Department,” he states, adding that “these needs, however, cannot be addressed by weakening a newly established Organisation that is bearing the greatest burden of implementing the reform.”
Decision taken despite documented appeals
Sykas further notes that the Ministry’s decision was taken “despite the documented appeals of the District Local Government Organisations for a short extension until the completion of the process of hiring new staff,” and also “despite the verbal commitments of the Ministry before the House Interior Committee.”
Referring to the joint letter sent by all five EOAs, he points out that “at this critical transitional stage, the uninterrupted operation of the Organisations presupposes the retention of staff with experience, knowledge, and familiarity with the new institutional framework.”
“Inconceivable” weakening of the Organisation
The DISY MP also criticises the logic behind the move, stating that “it is inconceivable for an Organisation to be weakened because it chose to adhere to lawful, albeit time-consuming, staffing procedures, ensuring meritocracy and integrity, instead of makeshift solutions.”
Call for a three-month extension
Sykas concludes by calling on the Ministry of Interior to approve a limited extension, saying, “I call on the Ministry of Interior to accept the absolutely reasonable request of the EOAs for a three-month extension of the stay of the personnel, so that the Limassol EOA can continue uninterrupted the difficult and demanding work assigned to it.”
He adds a final warning:
“In such a critical transition, there is no room for hasty decisions that affect development and the everyday lives of citizens.”
