THE NICOSIA Municipality is inviting the capital’s residents to share their opinions on how to solve the city’s problems in a series of public consultation meetings to be held over the next month.
Nicosia Mayor Eleni Mavrou yesterday announced the launch of the public consultation process, highlighting the need for constructive dialogue between the municipality and the city’s residents and workers.
The meetings will be held across nine sections of the city over the next four weeks, starting from the area within the walls this Friday, 7.30pm, at the Melina Mercouri Hall.
Mavrou said the aim was to give residents and workers a chance to let their voices, opinions and suggestions be heard while stimulating a more active participation in civic life.
“In every public consultation meeting, the citizen can have a voice and put across their views and suggestions for the problems in their neighbourhood,” said the mayor.
Members of the municipal council and heads of municipal services will be present to give a short presentation of the projects and programmes planned for the city after which, citizens will have a chance to share their opinions on pertinent issues.
The municipal council can use the meetings to assign the relevant importance to various projects. This hierarchy can then be reflected in preparations for the next budget.
“It will be, perhaps, the most direct step towards the active participation of the citizen,” said Mavrou.
“Our aim is to start a constructive dialogue and a two-way communication which will activate citizens and cover the most important issues that affect all of us.
“It is another substantial step in widening democracy, promoting transparency, creating permanent channels of two-way communication and expanding collective action to upgrade the quality of life of this town’s residents,” she added.
All residents and workers of the city are invited to the meetings. The problems and proposals voiced will be recorded and studied by the municipal council.
“The more heads you put together for the city, the better,” noted Mavrou.
Meanwhile, the municipal council will vote this Thursday whether to send out a questionnaire to the town’s residents, seeking advice on what to do with the old GSP Stadium in the old town. Many ideas have come up over the years, but this is the first time that the people will be asked directly, if the proposal is passed.
“We want people’s opinion before renovation plans start. There have been lots of ideas in the past but no one’s been asked before,” said the mayor.
Public Consultation Meetings, all start at 7.30pm:
Within the walls: Friday, May 23, 2008, Melina Mercouri Hall.
Ayioi Omologites- Urban Commercial Centre: Tuesday May 27, 2008, Russian Cultural Centre, 16 Alasia St, Ayioi Omologites.
Omorfita: Wednesday, May 28, 2008, Omorfita Cultural Centre, 13 Heroes St, Kaimakli.
Ayioi Omologites – Pyrinas: Thursday, May 29, 2008, ARTos Cultural Centre, 64
Ayioi Omologites Avenue.
Palouriotissa: Friday, June 6, 2008, SPE Palouriotissa, 2 16th August Street, Palouriotissa.
Kaimakli- Pyrinas: Tuesday, June 10, 2008, Achilleas Kaimakli, 7 Nicolaou Ioannou St, Kaimakli.
Ayios Antonios-Lykavitos-Ayion Constantinou and Eleni: Friday, June 13, 2008, Lykavitos Primary School, 12 Doyranis St, Ayios Antonios.
Kaimakli-Voreos Polos: Tuesday, June 17, 2008, SPE Kaimakli, 64 Ayios Ilarionos St, Kaimakli.
Ayios Andreas: Friday, June 20, 2008, Ayios Andreas Primary School, Ayios Pavlos and Constantinou Kontou.
