Larnaca EOA clears almost 92 per cent of inherited permit backlog

Larnaca, Cyprus. Larnaca’s district self-government organisation (EOA) has cleared almost 92 per cent of the permit backlog inherited from its predecessors while also handling every new application, Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou said on Friday. He described the achievement as “significant progress”.

Service quality is the next priority

At an event reviewing the EOA’s activities since its establishment in 2024, Ioannou identified meaningful improvements in public services as the next challenge for local government reform.

He said the reforms’ success would depend on residents’ experience of service speed, ease of access and reliability. The objective, he added, was to develop EOAs gradually into modern centres providing comprehensive services without delays.

Water, sewerage and flood prevention

Larnaca EOA chairman Angelos Hadjicharalambous outlined work on water provision, sewerage infrastructure and flood protection.

He said water supply projects were intended to provide 48 hours of autonomy if the water board interrupted supply. Sewerage projects with a combined budget of €380 million were also being advanced, he added.

Following the recent heavy rainfall, the organisation had assessed flood-prevention requirements and launched tenders to address them, Hadjicharalambous said.

Dangerous buildings demolished

Hadjicharalambous also said buildings designated as dangerous had already been demolished in Larnaca and Tersefanou, with the costs charged to their owners.