Water Development Department Responds to Audit Report: Improvement Actions Taken – Impact of Understaffing

The Water Development Department (WDD) announced that it has taken improvement actions following the Special Report of the Audit Office. According to the WDD, the report is a useful tool for enhancing the organization's operation.

The WDD notes that it has studied the findings of the report and submitted relevant observations, which have been incorporated into its final form. Measures have already been taken to improve internal procedures and comply with the recommendations of the Audit Office.

The WDD states that factors beyond its direct influence, such as the weakening of human resources, have affected its efficiency. Regarding receivables, the WDD is cooperating with the competent Ministries to settle debts.

Debts of Local Authorities can be settled through offsetting deductions. For water supply to Turkish Cypriot communities, the existing government policy is applied.

The Department is planning to upgrade the Water Pricing System for more accurate monitoring of financial data. Improvement actions have been implemented, such as the preparation of a preliminary technical study for the water rights of the communities affected by the Klirou dam.

In addition, the process of evaluating tenders for the Special Ecological Assessment Study (EOA) for the irrigated land consolidation in the Choletria Community is underway.

In the last three years, the WDD has been strengthened with 54 new employees, compared to 37 people in the period 2010-2022. The effort to strengthen human resources continues.

The WDD is implementing a systematic improvement plan for full compliance with the recommendations of the Audit Office, based on good governance and the effective use of water resources.