Filenews 19 February 2022 - by Natasha Christoforou
By decree of the prefect of Larnaka, the six blocks of flats, in which about 250 asylum seekers of African origin live in appalling conditions, are closed by decree of the Prefect of Larnaka. These are 55 apartments, which are not connected to the water supply network, due to the owner's debts to the Community Council of Oroklini. In order for the immigrants to live in these buildings, the state pays many thousands of euros per month to the owner company. The issue was highlighted in a report on Friday by "F", who informed the relevant services accordingly.
The prefect of Larnaka, Odysseas Hadjistefanou, has already issued a decree, which was served on the owner and the residents, to prohibit the use of these apartment buildings for habitation. As stated in the decree, the six apartment buildings "are considered unsuitable for human habitation, due to conditions of poor ventilation, dangerous for public health due to static sewerage, electrical and water supply problems and dangerous due to fire protection defects".
According to Mr. Hadzistefanou, the decree will be valid until the appropriate measures are taken in the apartment buildings, according to the suggestions that will be made. "Immediately after the decree, I sent a letter to the Deputy Minister of Welfare, Anastasia Anthousi and informed her, with a request to proceed with the appropriate actions for the relocation of the residents."
At the end of January, moreover, the District Administration of Larnaka had also sent a letter to the Attorney General of the Republic, requesting that judicial measures be taken against the owner company, attaching a report of fault.
Deputy Minister of Welfare Anastasia Anthousi, as soon as she was informed of the issuance of a decree, through a letter to the owner, informed him that if he does not make the necessary repairs to the six apartment buildings, then he will stop receiving money from the state for the rents of the residents. "In addition, the residents were informed that they should look in a reasonable time for another accommodation, in case no repairs are made," the deputy minister of welfare said.
In the matter, as "F" is informed, the Audit Office, which intends to conduct an investigation, will also be involved in the matter, in relation to the state's payments.
The commune of Oroklini, Neophytos Fakontis, who has made complaints on the issue several times, asked again for the intervention of the competent state services, in order to ensure the implementation of the legislation and the living of the occupants under humane conditions.
