Cheaper phone bills on way?

PLANS for a population census and moves to restrict voting for those newly awarded TRNC citizenship were announced by Prime Minister Tufan Erhürman in a lengthy policy statement at his first official press conference yesterday.

Dr Erhürman said the new government would henceforth inform the public on policy and Cabinet decisions via weekly press conferences.

Once staffing levels were achieved at the Interior Ministry, he said, 2,000 “exceptional citizenships” handed out would be examined, adding that restrictions could be imposed to prevent first-time TRNC citizens from voting at the first subsequent election.

Signalling local and central government reform, he said stateemployed personnel would be directed to be more effective and productive, and only those already qualified and with proven experience and rank would be appointed to senior positions.

Municipality reforms were now a priority, he said, although the merging of municipalities to reduce numbers would not solve all problems — such as the crisis at Yenierenköy Municipality, which would be the subject of a legal investigation and could become a pilot area for reform.

Checks on legality would also cover all sectors in the TRNC, particularly betting shops, said the Premier, and a drug rehabilitation centre was planned.

Five companies currently ran 51 betting shops which contributed 6.7 million euros to the Sports Department and $8 million in tax, he said, and agreement had been reached to reduce the number to 40, target illegal establishments and enforce the ban on TRNC citizens visiting casinos.

Dr Erhürman, who visited Lefkoşa Central Prison this week with his interior minister to investigate complaints, said he would raise plans for the establishment of a Prison Advisory Board with the Cabinet this month, and a new jail would be built by the end of the year.

Other measures included cutting levels of civil service overtime by boosting employment in the police, health sector and Customs; and setting up a new body to record health statistics.

Dr Erhürman said the previous government’s budget estimate would now also help to pay for facilities including a sports hall for the disabled and a park next to the Bayrak TV and radio headquarters.

He said the government trusted that the opposition would support a 5.8 million TL budget ratified by the Council of Ministers on Wednesday.