Nicosia gearing up for 2012 EU presidency

NICOSIA Municipality is planning to spend almost €32 million on the capital in 2009, Mayor Eleni Mavrou said yesterday.

At a news conference, Mavrou said income in 2009 was estimated at €31.9 million, which is almost equal to the expenditure forecast.

Mavrou said that part of the projects for 2009 would be completed by the end of March. The first phase of the restoration of the Kaimakli centre would cost €800,000 and the second phase €1,700,000, she said.

Other projects planned for 2009 are the first phase of the renewal of the Tachtakalas area within the walls of Nicosia at a cost of €1.5 million, the upgrading of the Ayios Antonios Market costing €1.28 million the construction of five sports fields estimated at €500,000.

Also, the municipality will upgrade several roads and squares, the new City Hall in the old town as well as the creation of a Community Centre in Chrysaliniotissa.

“We want Nicosia to get the look it deserves, to change and become a truly modern city, to be strengthened as a gateway between the countries of the European Union and be prepared for 2012 when it will assume the role of EU Presidency”, Mavrou said.

“All the projects financed by the EU Structural Funds and by the government have been completed, in the framework of the first stage.”

Regarding the Municipal referendum to regenerate the site of the old GSP Stadium, Mavrou said: “It was an innovative process for the Local Authorities”

“We have dedicated ourselves to adopting the decision of our townspeople and to support the relevant government committees, and that is exactly what we did…we let them express their views freely and gave them the opportunity to participate directly in decision making”

She said she wanted to reassure residents of the capital that “we will continue our effort to implement the programmes we have set to create a Nicosia that will be modern, beautiful so that its people take great pride in it”.

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