Paphos city and district have recorded 226 dilapidated buildings, with occupied apartment blocks in the city highlighted as the most pressing concern. As officials prepare for a pan-Cyprus meeting next Tuesday, the urgency of addressing this issue has become paramount.
Dilapidated buildings: Upcoming Meeting to Address Building Safety
The meeting, scheduled to take place in Nicosia, will convene the presidents of all five District Local Government Organisations (DLGOs), along with representatives from ETEK and the Union of Municipalities. Paphos DLGO President Charalambos Pittokopitis expressed the intent to discuss the management of dangerous and dilapidated buildings across the island.
Concerning Statistics
Of the 226 buildings identified in Paphos, 71 fall within the municipal boundaries. Among these, 10 to 12 buildings are deemed to be in a notably dangerous condition. Additionally, 109 dilapidated premises are located in surrounding communities, while 46 are noted in the Polis Chrysochous municipality.
Safety Inspections Underway
Pittokopitis revealed that he and the DLGO’s civil engineer conducted on-site inspections of the buildings in question. While no immediate risk of collapse was identified, re-inspections will take place to ensure ongoing safety. Measures will be implemented under existing legislation as needed.
Coordinated Efforts for Future Inspections
The intention of the upcoming meeting also includes a collaboration with ETEK to perform a comprehensive re-inspection of all buildings previously recorded as dangerous. This initiative aims to update existing data and evaluate the current condition of these properties.
Call for Legislative Action
This week, an internal meeting addressed procedures for managing these cases moving forward. Pittokopitis noted the necessity for urgent cooperation with the Law Office and the House of Representatives to expedite legislative amendments. He emphasised that current procedures are often time-consuming, which could elevate the risk of serious incidents.
