A GROUP of municipal councillors has criticised the Mayor of Nicosia for his handling of the upcoming Christmas and New Year fiesta in the capital.
Nearly half a million pounds is set to be spent on transforming Nicosia into a fairytale wonderland next month, in a bid to attract one million visits to the city.
But several members of the Municipal Council said Mayor Michalis Zampelas had forged ahead with plans without consulting them, especially on the issue of funding.
The events are to be financed entirely by sponsors and Zampelas named the main donors earlier this week as areeba, Sony Eriksson, Ermes, City Café and Libra Holidays.
But councillor Stelios Kolokassides said: “we expected more information regarding who would be giving the money, details on how it would be spent and such details.
“The municipality board should have been included in discussions,” he said. “We were only given sketchy details .We should have been involved in the final decision-making.”
Kolokassides also described the £480,000 total to be spent on the festivities as “extortionate”.
“Of course we want nice Christmas events but the money could have been better spent, on doing up listed buildings in the old town, for example.”
Councillor Antonis Antoniou also called for more transparency regarding funding.
“We have been told about the main sponsors but there are many more we don’t know of. And how much did the existing sponsors give?”
But the Mayor defended his handling of the Christmas fiesta: “There is no row. I have informed the municipality all the way.”
Zampelas said the full list of sponsors had not been finalised, but that as soon as it was councillors would be informed.
He also insisted spending £480,000 on the bonanza, which will run between December 3 and January 7, would be profitable in the long-run.
“About £250,000-£300,000 will remain as donations with the municipality. The lights and kiosks, worth £120,000 and £70,000 respectively, will be used in future.”
But not all councillors are opposed to the Mayor’s plans.
Councillor Anthi Christofidou said the board had been “very well informed” on the issue, with the relevant committees being briefed “many times.”
“It was very well discussed in the cultural committee, and we were also told about sponsorship. The Mayor has consulted us all the way.”
Councillors are planning to meet next week to discuss the matter further.
