Limassol Mayor warns against “victimizing” local development projects

Local Government has also been affected financially by COVID-19

The Limassol Municipality has inevitably been affected financially by the pandemic, something that has raised concerns among employees of the Municipality’s Finance Department, who have begun to study all aspects and parameters of the situation. Limassol Mayor, Nicos Nicolaides, spoke about the issue, reiterating that local development projects should not fall victim to the crisis once again. He pointed out that the crisis will inevitably affect the liquidity of all municipalities, while he added that all planned development projects are being re-evaluated and that co-financed projects are not expected to be significantly affected.  He stressed that the projects undertaken to upgrade the neighbourhoods surrounding the city centre, together with the anti-flood works that were undertaken by the SBLA are considered to be of paramount importance for the Limassol Municipality.  

Specifically, the Limassol Mayor said: “Unavoidably, the pandemic will affect all municipalities. There will be serious economic implications that need to be addressed quickly and responsibly”. The Financial Department of our Municipality is already studying all aspects and parameters of the situation as follows:

o    The annual budget and the possible margins in the Municipality’s expenditure elasticity.

o    The potential reduction of incomes for the Municipality from various sources including fees, rights, licenses, rents etc.

o    The extent to which the Municipality’s liquidity will be affected

o    Planned development projects are re-evaluated – both co-financed (although these projects are not expected to be significantly affected) and urban projects as well as projects carried out with the help of municipal funding.

o    Any needs that may arise after the pandemic in relation to municipal social programs are also evaluated.

Regarding Limassol Municipality’s development projects, Mr Nicolaides highlighted the following: 

o    Development projects, especially big-budget ones, are expected to be reassessed in the aftermath of the crisis. However, local development projects should not fall victim to the crisis once again. Works that are of social importance and have a direct benefit to all citizens should be promoted. Especially projects that locals have been waiting for, for years and that were expected to be implemented.  

o    These projects, which are not necessarily big-budget ones, should be implemented since in addition to their social benefit, they constitute a way to boost and stimulate the economy, which will be necessary in the months to come.

o    The projects undertaken to upgrade the neighbourhoods surrounding the city centre, together with the anti-flood works that were undertaken by the SBLA are considered to be of paramount importance for the Limassol Municipality.