THERE ARE DANGEROUS BUILDINGS IN PAPHOS AS WELL - Pafos Live 15/4
The management of dangerous and dilapidated buildings seems to be in a transitional stage and with serious challenges, after the transfer of the relevant responsibilities from the Municipalities and the District Administrations to the Provincial Self-Government Organizations. As the President of EOA Paphos, Charalambos Pittokopitis, stated to KYPE, this is a development that is accompanied by significant legislative and practical gaps.
Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency, Mr. Pittokopitis stated that in the Municipality of Paphos alone, about 10 to 12 cases of apartment buildings with risk problems have been identified. For the specific cases, a process has already been initiated by the Municipality, with the sending of warning letters to those involved.
However, as he pointed out, in several cases the process seems to be "frozen" at this stage, as the current legislation does not provide sufficient tools for immediate and effective intervention. "There are gaps that do not allow us to take practical measures, either for the evacuation of the tenants, or for the restoration of the static or even the demolition of the buildings," he noted.
The President of the EOA Paphos underlined that immediate cooperation with the Legal Service and the House of Representatives of Cyprus is required, in order to promote amendments that will fill the existing gaps. As he mentioned, the procedures today are very time-consuming, which increases the risk of unpleasant developments.
In this context, Mr. Pittokopitis announced the convening of an extraordinary meeting of the competent licensing officers of the Organization, in the presence of the Legal Advisor, with the aim of taking immediate preventive measures. At the same time, a teleconference of the five presidents of the District Local Government Organizations, together with the competent officials, is planned, in order to have a coordinated, pan-Cypriot approach to the issue.
He also made special reference to the connection of the problem with the legislation governing communal buildings. As he explained, this is a field that until today belongs to the Land Registry Department, while the possible transfer of this responsibility to the Provincial Self-Government Organizations is under discussion in Parliament.
"The EOAs took office a year and a half ago without the required preparation and along the way they are constantly entrusted with new responsibilities," he said, adding that despite the difficulties, every effort will be made to respond to the needs and expectations of the citizens.
The need for immediate solutions becomes imperative, especially in light of recent incidents of building collapses, which highlight the risks and criticality of the effective management of the issue, he concluded.
