The Larnaca District Self-Government Organization continues intensively, as it states, the recording, evaluation and management of dangerous buildings throughout the province, implementing a comprehensive action plan with the main focus on the protection of public safety.
Following the assumption of responsibilities by the former competent authorities, the EOA Larnaca received a register of 563 potentially dangerous buildings. "Through the systematic updating of the data, the on-site recording and the evaluation of new reports by citizens, Municipalities and Communities, the register currently includes 1,084 potentially dangerous buildings, which reflects the true size of the issue," it notes in a statement.
As part of the evaluation process, 310 visual inspections have already been assigned to private civil engineers, while 228 technical reports have been completed and returned, which are evaluated by the Department of Hazardous Buildings. Of these, 204 buildings have been classified as dangerous, while 116 are classified in the highest risk category, as they present a visible risk of collapse.
"To date, the Larnaca District Self-Government Organization has taken a series of actions to remove the danger of buildings, with a view to protecting public safety. Specifically, 31 hazard removal actions have been carried out, which include the fencing of dangerous buildings by the EOA Larnaca or by their owners themselves, the demolition of 3 buildings by the owners following the intervention of the EOAL, as well as the assignment by owners to designers for the preparation and implementation of measures to remove the risk in buildings following a notification by EOAL buildings", is noted.
At the same time, the prescribed procedures for declaring dangerous buildings are progressing. To date, the reports have been completed and 8 buildings have been declared dangerous, for which the required murals, publications and notifications to the owners have been made. In addition, as noted by the Organization, the declaration procedures for another 10 buildings are at an advanced stage, while in one case a temporary eviction order was issued in a dangerous building, due to non-compliance of the owners with the instructions of the Competent Authority.
"The management of dangerous buildings is implemented on the basis of an integrated business plan, which includes the updating and digital recording of the register, the conduct of visual inspections by specialized civil engineers, the evaluation of technical reports and the categorization of buildings according to their degree of risk. This is followed by the issuance of decisions declaring dangerous buildings, informing the owners to immediately remove the danger and, where necessary, taking protection, evacuation and enforcement measures, including administrative and judicial procedures in cases of non-compliance."
According to the technical assessments to date for 209 buildings, the estimated cost of the required risk removal measures amounts to approximately €5.94 million, which demonstrates the magnitude of the challenge that the Larnaca EOA is called upon to manage.
The EOA Larnaca calls on building owners to cooperate immediately with the competent services, responding to the relevant notifications and taking the necessary measures to remove the danger of their premises. At the same time, citizens who identify buildings that may present static adequacy problems or pose risks to public safety, are invited to inform the Larnaca District Self-Government Organization, so that the necessary checks can be carried out and the prescribed measures can be taken in a timely manner.
"The protection of human life and public safety is a top priority for EOA Larnaca. The Organization will consistently continue the implementation of the management plan, the strengthening of controls and the cooperation with all stakeholders, with the aim of effectively addressing the issue of dangerous buildings", notes the EOAL.
