As we informed our followers recently, a village meeting was held on Monday 14th October, covering various matters relating to the village. The following is a translation of the Mukhtar’s speech, kindly provided by the village office:
Dear fellow villagers, good evening!
On behalf of K.S. I would like to welcome you to tonight’s gathering which is taking place again after 2 years and aims to inform you about the actions of the Community Council, about the projects that have been implemented and about those that are planned for the near future!
At the same time, you will be given the opportunity through a civilized and constructive discussion to express any complaints and objections you have and we will listen to your suggestions and anything else you would like to discuss.
As a first matter we would like to once again to inform you about it issue of water, where it is the major issue of the community, not only ours but also many other communities.
Maroni buys water at the maximum price from the government hence the reason a lot of money is spent on its purchase. The purchase of water today costs 82 cents per ton! 50% of the amount of water spent is estimated to come from community leaks as a result automatically doubling the cost of water.
But the cost does not end here because the purchase of parts and pipes, the repairs with diggers, the cost of a worker who works exclusively with water and the repairs of the roads with concrete are estimated at over 60,000 euros per year.
At this point, let us inform you that today our balance in the water development department is 175,000 euros and we hope that by the end of the year it will be reduced to 100,000 euros.
The second topic we will cover tonight is about rubbish collection where we would like to update you on the charges.
Rubbish collection is charged per household per person. That is, if a family consists of 4 people, the fee is 15 times 4, which equals 60 euros per quarter.
The fees are €15 for permanent residents, €12 for non-residents.
To inform you about the increase in charges where you have suffered in the last year as a result of the increase in the fees of the tubbish collectors which amounts to more than 40%.
At this point let us tell you how we have been selected as one of the communities for paper, plastic and glass recycling which is expected to start in the second half of 2026.
A compressor will be placed outside the supermarket of Maria Lazarou, where it is also the busiest area and those residents who wish to recycle, they will transport and compact the recyclable materials.
Another issue that concerns many of the community’s residents is the issue of urban planning zones.
We have had a session with the planning zoning review committee at the Department of Town Planning and Housing giving us 15 minutes to present our suggestions. When we have an official update you will also be informed.
Let’s go to the chapter ΄Projects that have been implemented and which are planned to be done in our community!
An important project which is planned to be done within the year is the replacement of the paving in the old Maroni at a cost of more than 400,000 euros with a contribution of 10% from the community and the remaining 90% from state funds.
The first phase has already been completed, which concerns Tasos Mitsopoulos Square, which is located behind the church, a jewel square, worthy of mention, where until now it has hosted several events from various organized ensembles of our village.
The second big project that will start with the new year is the construction of a two-story multi-use hall which will be opposite the supermarket and will cost more than eight hundred thousand. Work will begin in February 2025 with a completion time of 18 months.
This is a project that was missing from our community and its purpose is to host community gatherings, events of schools and other organized groups and where various activities can be done such as learning dance, gymnastics, etc.
The K.S has as its concern to ensure the best possible standard of living of the residents by improving the road network of the community.In the last two years, we have asphalted various rural roads.A few days ago, Pigi street and Papoutso street were paved.
Also, the construction of the sidewalk on Agia Marina road, that is from Esperanto to the old bridge, has been completed and a retaining wall has been built which is lined with stone. The bridge has been cleared, they have placed benches and the lighting of the space has been done.
The specific project is following the announcement of the Sponsorship Plan for the revival of rural areas through the Deputy Ministry of Tourism with the amount of 65,000 euros.
Another big project that is expected to start is the configuration of the Piazza Maroni with the creation of a small playground and the lining of an existing wall with stone after approval through the Deputy Ministry of Tourism with the amount of 60,000 euros.
Theme cemetery
As far as the cemetery is concerned, we have proceeded with the purchase of the entire plot where the expansion of the cemetery will take place in the southern direction, which is expected to start in a few months.
The purchase cost is €30,000, with release from its Development Projects EAC.
At this point let us inform you how the20 euros that each family gives for cemetery tax is for its maintenance.
Theme cultural events and photo spots.
The Community Council, like every year, this year also organized many events and excursions for the residents of the village, where we have the opportunity to get together and spend a pleasant time with each other.
The third street food festival is also worth mentioning where it was held again this year in our village with great success gathering thousands of people in our community leaving the best impressions both the beauty and the picturesqueness of our village as well as our hospitality and the cleanliness of our community!
At this point I would like to thank all the villagers because you embrace every effort of the Community Council and you yourself try in any way you can to help and promote our village leaving the best impressions on all visitors.
I sincerely thank all the members of the Board of Directors, partners, secretarial and working staff for their help and support. Maroni gathers many visitors and so we decided to make viewing and photography points so that visitors can take pictures and post their photos on the internet from various parts of our village making Maroni known throughout Cyprus.
If you have suggestions for new photo spots, please share them with us!
Especially the opinion of young people counts for us and our support for them is a given.
At this point, let us also publicly thank the young people of our village, the Athletic Association of Maroni, who undertake to carry out various events with great success, as well as the parents’ associations of our schools for the very good cooperation we have and express our undivided thanks to them. our support for anything they need!
We have left for the end the issue of the asphalt plant’s transfer to the Vassilikos area.
We want to inform you that efforts are being made by the coordination area of the nine communities of the Vassilikos region to revoke this decision and we will continue with various measures and reactions until we achieve our goal.
As far as the compensatory measures are concerned, the nine communities of the Vassilikos region will have a financial benefit of around one and a half million a year. 75% of the money will be managed by the communities with the approval of the Prefect and the remaining 25% will be managed by the Prefect for community projects.
The amount of approximately 120,000 euros per year is allocated to our community, which we can spend on sightseeing, excursions, dances, pan-community and various other events.
Also for Development Projects.
A a project planned to be done by the nine communities is a regional club for the elderly where the aim will be for the elderly to spend their time pleasantly during the day.
A nursery and a playground will also be created.
Regarding the finances of the Council, I want to inform you that there are four accounts.
- Current 21,000 euros
- Cemetery 4,246 euros
- Development Projects 276,806 euros
- Compensation 132,000 euros
We would like to thank you for your presence here, and as I mentioned above, the purpose of the gathering is to listen above all to you.
We are at your disposal for any questions, suggestions, complaints and anything else you would like to discuss.
At the end of the questions will follow the now established awards for excellent students, graduates of higher education as well as those who have served as members of the Community Council.
After awards will be followed by food.
Let us also thank Spyros Georgiou for tonight’s hospitality and wish you a beautiful evening.
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