The community of Emba, with an area of 6.7 square kilometres and an average altitude of 140 metres, is located a stone’s throw away from the city of Paphos. It borders with the communities of Chloraka, Kissonerga, Tala, Tremithousa, Mesogi and the Municipality of Paphos. It is one of the largest villages of the province and probably the largest in population, since 6,500 people live there today.

According to tradition, the village was named after the following event. At the entrance of the village, which was then a large estate, near the border with Paphos was a gate that was always guarded by a sentry. To enter the estate, one had to pass through the control of the watchman, who, if he thought it was right to enter, would say Emba (pass/enter).

COMMUNITY COUNCIL

The Community Council of Emba, following the election process held in December 2016, is composed of:

Community Chief – President: Antonis Nikiforou
Deputy Community Chief: Georgia Tsokka
Member: Nikos Mavronikolas
Member: Periklis Perikleous
Member: Leonidas Leonidou
Member: Savvas Choulos
Member: Neophytos Sergi
Member: Konstantinos Konstantinou

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF EMBA COMMUNITY COUNCIL

In 1994, the form of local government of the Community changed. It was renamed from ‘Village Authority’ to ‘Improvement Council,’ with the first President/Community Chief the late Charalambos Stylianou and elected members Mr. Mario Spyrou (deputy mayor) Nikos Panagiotou, Nikos Konstantinou, Andreas Panagiotou, and the late Theodoros Kika as members.

In 1999, the form of Local Government changed again in the community as well as in the whole of Cyprus. With the implementation of the Law (Law 86(1)99) which came into force on 9th July 1999, the Improvement Councils and Village Authorities were abolished and the administration of all Communities in Cyprus, except for the municipal areas, became the responsibility of elected Councils from the Communities. The Community Councils. The term of office of the elected Councillors, comprising of the Improvement Board, was extended until December 2001.

Based on Article 11.- (1) paragraph (b) (iii) of the Communities Act those Communities with more than 700 registered voters, the Council now consists of eight members.

Thus, in the elections of December 2001, eight members were elected (Kyriakos Tsokkas – Deputy Community Chief, Panikos Stylianou, Lakis Mavronikolas, Panikos X”Kostis, Savvas Choulos, Andreas Panagiotou, Panikos Tryfonos and Niki Vryroni who was replaced by the runner-up Mr. Andreas Neofytidis due to her appointment in the civil service). Mr. Antonis Nikiforou, who had been elected one year earlier as Community Chief/President of the Council in a by-election after the position of Community Chief was vacated by the death of the late Charalambos Stylianou in 2000, was re-elected as Community Chief/President of the Council.

The term of office of the Council under the above recommendation expired in December 2006, at which time elections were held and the Council was elected, and its term of office expired on 31/12/2011. The Council consisted of Mr. Antonis Nikiforou, President, Panikos Stylianou – Deputy Community Chief, and the members Andreas Ellinas, George Athanasiou, Panikos X”Kostis, George Georgiades, Andreas Panagiotou, Kyriakos Charalambous and Savvas Lambriano.

The term of office of the Council with the above recommendation expired in December 2006, during which elections were held and the Council was elected, whose term of office expires on 31/05/2024 (the term of office of the present Council expired on 21/12/2021, but due to the passing of the bills concerning the reorganisation of Local Government, has been extended until 31/05/2024).

The present Council is composed of Mr. Antonis Nikiforou, President, Georgia Tsokka – Deputy Community Chief, and the members Nikos Mavronikolas, Leonidas Leonidou, Pericles Pericleous, Savvas Choulos, Neophytos Sergis, Andreas Panagiotou and Konstantinos Konstantinou.

INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS

Rainwater culverts

More than 6 km of rainwater culverts were constructed in the community, which solved serious problems that were perpetuated for years, the main ones being:

The culvert that starts from the community square and ends at the ”argaki tis Vasilous” passing through the streets of 25th March, Agios Prodromos, Griva Digenis, Nikolas Lagos, Elladas Avenue and from the borders of two private plots, after securing the consent of the owners.
The culvert that starts from the junction of Philippou Kritiotis and Nikolaou Ellinas streets and ends at the argaki ”Arkokalami” crossing Nikolaou Ellina Av. and the whole of Apostolou Pavlou Av. These main pipelines collect rainwater from many other lanes.
The culvert that starts from the dead end of Miaouli Street and through Markou Drakou Street ends at Evangelou Floraki Street, where it was connected to an existing sapa pipeline.

The culvert that starts from 25th March Street collecting the rainwater of an existing pipeline on Papaneokleous Street and through Georgiou Papandreou, Agia Lavra and Georgios Papaneokleous streets ends at Evangelou Floraki Street, where it was connected to an existing sapa pipeline.
The culvert that starts from the dead end of Agiou Lazarou Street, through an adjacent green area and Famagusta Street, ends at Georgiou Christoforou Street where there is a small taxi.

The culvert that comes from the end of Agios Minas Street and through Anapafseos and Anastasia Psalti streets, ends at Nikolaou Ellina Avenue, where it was connected to an existing pipeline of SAPA.

Water Supply

Replacement of the old water supply network within the community
Replacement of a large part of the main drinking water transport pipe in the community with a new larger diameter
Construction of 2 new larger water tanks, one of 500 cubic meters and one of 136 cubic meters, so that there are reserves in the period of interruption of the flow due to possible damage

Driving network
All roads within the boundaries of the community, including the rural ones, were paved and almost all of them have been installed a network of drinking water pipes. This project includes undergrounding of the A.E.K. services, CYTA, and water supply on sidewalks, with lighting columns without overhead cables as well as rainwater and sewage sewerage.

Community Building

The privately owned offices of the Council were built on a plot purchased by the Council in the centre of the village for better service to the public.

Beautification of squares and parks

The beautification of the central square and the courtyards of the two churches which was recently completed. Among other things, it includes a small amphitheatre of green spaces, the restoration of the old olive mill, public latrines, square spaces for events and aimed at the promotion of the ancient church. The whole project cost more than one million euros and is included in one of the best community squares in Cyprus. Beautification and tree planting of almost all green areas of the community of a total area of more than 20,000 square meters. In two of them, basketball courts have been built (Petridia – plots of A’ Phase O.A.G.) and in one of them a small football field (mini futsal) has been built with fake grass (C’ Phase of plots O.A.G.). All green areas have been demarcated and fenced with stone-built walls-fences.

Parking lots

One of the serious problems facing the community was the lack of parking spaces. To solve this problem, in 1999, the Council proceeded to purchase two plots next to the old church from a private individual. Immediately, the design phase of the project began,and after securing the relevant permits, the execution of the project began, which was completed in 2001. During the project, provision was made, as was the planning for the future construction of a second parking space on metal columns. Work on the implementation of the second level began at the end of 2009 and was completed in September 2010. Both levels have a capacity of 85 seats. The third parking space, which is included in the second phase of beautification of the central square, has a capacity of 25 seats. The construction works were completed recently.