Cabinet focuses on mountain aid
Cabinet discussed on Wednesday the implementation and expansion of the mountain community development strategy aiming to halt urban migration. President Nikos Christodoulides described the strategy as “the most important issue” on the agenda,
Cabinet discussed on Wednesday the implementation and expansion of the mountain community development strategy aiming to halt urban migration.
President Nikos Christodoulides described the strategy as “the most important issue” on the agenda, noting that a key highlight is the expansion of the communities under the Office of the Commissioner of Mountain Areas with the inclusion of 47 new communities in the districts of Limassol, Paphos and Larnaca.
“We will review the implementation of the mountain community development strategy and simultaneously expand it with specific decisions,” he added, explaining that some decisions have already been made and some others are pending.
The development strategy for mountain areas is designed to be cross-cutting, impacting various ministries and sectors.
“We need to build the necessary infrastructure to stop urban migration and encourage people to return to our mountain regions,” the president explained.
One of the major initiatives includes robust housing plans specifically designed for mountain areas. These plans are expected to make it easier for young couples to settle in these regions by providing essential infrastructure, particularly in health and education.
“Beyond that, health and education issues also concern our mountain areas,” he said, adding that for a young couple to move and stay, there must be infrastructure.
The Troodos hospital in Kyperounda is set for a major upgrade with a budget of €1.8 million for 2025, while €680,000 will be spent in 2024 for the same purpose, a total of €2.5 million for the Troodos hospital. The residents of the area should have the same opportunities and possibilities of health care provision as residents in any town in Cyprus.
He also noted the creation of a bus station in Saittas, which will connect mountainous Limassol with the urban centre of Limassol, the port, and the airports in Larnaca and Paphos. Additionally, sports facilities are being promoted, especially for the youth. The upgrade of the Glafkos Clerides centre in Agros is expected to start soon, “which has essentially not been operational for years” he said, while the creation of a national centre in Kyperounda was also decided.
“It is our obligation as a state, regardless of where our residents live, to create Citizen Service Centres in Malounta and simultaneously proceed with the implementation of a CSC in the western Limassol area,” Christodoulides added.
“Our goal is for the residents of mountain communities to have immediate access to state services, as is our duty.”
He added that three new model fire stations are planned and moving towards immediate implementation in Pedoulas, Pachna (where one exists but is in temporary facilities), and Eptagonia.
“This is why I requested the presence of the commissioner, to discuss all the projects comprehensively, where they stand, how we can accelerate their implementation, and what else is needed to upgrade our mountain areas, which is one of our strategic goals,” Christodoulides said.
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