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We note that from time to time delays are caused to development projects due to Red Tape.
Red tape is not a tangible case as such and it is caused because those in charge, especially civil servants, are just not up to it to respond in a timely fashion and with good reason on the matter raised.
Frustration is evident, and it affects just about everybody, including the government at times which expresses its disappointment even through the mouth of the president.
Yet even the government, sometimes, does not want to address the problem. There has been no political will shown by this or previous governments to tackle this inexcusable tolerance which gets worse and becomes more evident as time goes by.
· No replies
One is surprised to receive a response from government/local authorities to the questions raised. As an example, we have undertaken a crusade against the Famagusta District Officer, who is allowing the development of a beach snack bar within the seaside protection zone. We have written to him three times with not a single typical letter of reply.
· Sick Leave
It seems that the government service attracts mainly the sick since more often than not approximately 10% of them at any time are on a sick leave (the way that the doctor’s certificate is secured is a joke in itself which should have criminal repercussions against the doctors).
· Non-connecting telephones
Have you dared to call a government office or other people in public service over by phone? Try it, it is an experience. No reply, long time ringing and if someone replies at the end he or she tells you that “he is not in the office” God forbid if you ask them to take a message to return your call (it just does not happen).
· Arrogance
It is notable the arrogance that members of the public are met with by the civil servants. In a recent query to the Municipality of Limassol, about a certain planning clarification, we received a reply after two reminders which in effect said: “look it up in the 300-page book on local planning!!
· Masonic Dealings in Secret
We complained on behalf of a client of ours over how the business Municipal taxes are estimated by local authorities. Not a single reply despite the fact that the same client has similar offices in all towns but smaller in size and staff number – yet Limassol with the least local staff and office size, had the highest charge of all towns. No reply and no excuses are given–nothing.
· Disappointed Investors
We have recorded in the past the disappointed foreign (in particular) investors who believed that this country is a European one all the way. Alas, the red tape and narrow-mindedness of the civil service puts off various investors causing them to place whole page adds in the local press on their frustration (see St. Raphael Marina, The Eden project, the Makenzy Hotel, the Larnaca port and its Marina, as well as that of Ayia Napa and the Limni Golf Project).
For certain projects that we came to know the details, we noted that there was on a number of occasions political decision to proceed, but this was not approved by the Civil Service (it reminds us of the Yes Minister TV series) dragging their feet.
We are of the opinion that delays in replying should be punished by an indicative penalty on the person responsible and not a general vindication of say a department.
In a recent case in Greece where the local postman did not deliver a letter on time, the postman was fined directly by the court – a beautiful example of correct justice.
Within our scope of work (real estate) recent cases that stand up for objection by governmental/semi-governmental bodies are:
· Three years waiting from the Land Registry Office and still waiting for a rental assessment for the Troodos Adventure Park.
· Fixing the rent of Eden (multi-million hotel and real estate development) ground which belongs to the Government at Yeroskipou – four years waiting on the Land Registry Office.
· St. Raphael Marina two years of no reply by the Ministry of Tourism.
· Complete indifference by the Limassol Municipality.
This government does seem to be trying to correct things, but so far, the results are not encouraging.
