Filenews 21 August 2025 - by Dora Christodoulou
Serious problems that pose risks to the health of employees and the public and create a bad image for the state building complex, denounce employees of the Paphos Government Buildings.
In a letter to the Department of Public Works, there is talk of areas in the buildings, such as the theatre, that are not cleaned and ventilated frequently, resulting in workers going there confronted with dead rodents, stench, an atmosphere of enclosure and parts of the roof that come off.
According to the issue published today by Filenews, public services based in the Government Buildings have officially sent letters to the Department of Public Works requesting the urgent cleaning and disinfection of spaces such as the theatre of the building complex.
Referring to a seriously neglected situation and unsuitable spaces for use, the workers complain that both in the theatre itself, as well as in its vestibule, it presents a strong and unpleasant smell of enclosure with the inadequate cleaning and ventilation of the premises evident.
They also report that there are dead rodents, cockroaches and dead insects inside the space, which creates serious hygiene issues, while the carpet is covered in a thick layer of dust and dirt, making it unsuitable for use. From the ceiling, the employees also emphasize, pieces of wood have been detached and fallen and their immediate replacement is imperative.
The situation, according to the intervention to the Department of Public Works, must be improved immediately, given that on August 27 the theatre is scheduled to be used for a seminar.
Responding to these complaints in a letter sent by the Department of Public Works, it clarifies that these problems essentially have to do with the absence of the Management Committee that was set up in the Government Buildings of Paphos with their completion and operation. The Public Works, it is emphasized, had set up a maintenance unit that operated in support of the Buildings Management Committee in technical matters. However, given that in recent years the number of hourly paid staff has decreased significantly on a nationwide basis, the Department no longer has the ability to maintain permanent maintenance units in state buildings.
Therefore, the Department of Public Works points out, the maintenance and repairs are carried out through the process of sending paper calls to it by the heads of the state departments. In the last six months, the response states, 50 such calls have been received and it has responded immediately.
In addition, the Public Works conclude in their response, the Government Buildings of Paphos have now completed 19 years of life and therefore the maintenance needs are more radical. The Department's involvement in them cannot concern individual hourly paid personnel.
However, he never renounced his responsibilities and the offer of technical assistance to the Government Buildings.
