Ioannou urges communities to prioritise infrastructure and prepare projects
Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou called for clear local development plans as he inaugurated the €1.2 million first phase of Choirokitia’s square redevelopment.
Choirokitia, Cyprus. Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou urged communities to rank their infrastructure priorities and prepare projects so development can move faster and funding can be used more effectively. His remarks, released on Tuesday, came at the inauguration of the €1.2 million first phase of Choirokitia’s community square redevelopment.
Planning and funding
Citing President Nikos Christodoulides’ recent announcement about getting community development projects ready for implementation, Ioannou called on local authorities to evaluate infrastructure needs, set priorities and draw up the required plans and studies.
The minister said support would be provided by the Larnaca district administration, helping every community establish a clear development strategy and have projects ready to advance.
“Our goal is to make effective use of all available national and European funding instruments to respond to the real needs of local communities,” he said.
Ioannou also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving rural communities in ways that retain their character and meet residents’ needs.
Projects across the area
The minister described the Choirokitia works as one element of a wider government drive to revitalise rural areas, with investment intended to improve living standards, reinforce social cohesion and open up opportunities for growth.
Across the wider Vasilikos-Pentashoinos area, he cited redevelopment in Zygi and Maroni, upgrades in Tochni, a nature trail to Kalavasos’ Tenta archaeological site, and new facilities for cultural, sporting and community activities in Psematismenos.
Ioannou said further projects being advanced included a regional sports centre, the Tochni-Choirokitia sports ground and a multipurpose facility providing elderly care and childcare.
Cooperation and rural housing
Cooperation between adjacent communities and the central government was essential, the minister said, to create infrastructure serving a broader population.
He also stressed the role of housing policies in encouraging young people and families either to stay in rural communities or to return to them.
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