The first visual inspection of 110 potentially dangerous buildings in Larnaca is expected to be completed on Friday, May 8, the President of the Larnaca District Local Government Organisation, Angelos Hadjicharalambous, told CNA.
Hadjicharalambous said the inspections are being carried out by a team of private consultants and experts appointed to assess the condition of the buildings and advise on the next steps.
Once the experts submit their report, the Larnaca District Local Government Organisation will proceed with the necessary action under the relevant legislation, he said.
“Where action is required to remove a danger, and if danger is confirmed, then that danger will be removed,” Hadjicharalambous said.
563 potentially dangerous buildings recorded
Hadjicharalambous said that, following the establishment of the Larnaca District Local Government Organisation, it received a total of 563 potentially dangerous buildings from the District Administration and the municipalities.
These cases are currently being examined to determine which buildings require immediate intervention.
Asked whether there are dangerous apartment blocks in Larnaca, he said there are some cases, but added that the organisation is waiting for the experts’ visual inspection to be completed before determining their condition and what action is needed.
He said the experts may conclude that certain works can be carried out so that the buildings can continue to be safely occupied.
However, he added, there is also the possibility that the experts may determine that some buildings cannot be repaired and must be evacuated immediately.
Possible social impact
Hadjicharalambous acknowledged that evacuating a dangerous apartment block could create a serious social issue, particularly if hundreds of people are living there.
He said that in such a case the matter would have to be handled by the Ministry of Interior, the Welfare Services and other competent authorities, rather than by the District Local Government Organisation.
He added that further complications could arise because some of the buildings may also house businesses.
Funding and responsibility
Asked whether additional funding will be requested from the Ministry of Interior for the demolition of buildings deemed unsafe, Hadjicharalambous said a meeting is expected to take place to discuss where the necessary funds can be secured.
He said that, for the time being, the organisation is funding these actions from other sources, including water supply and sewerage budgets, but stressed that this is not appropriate.
“At the end of the day, we cannot tax everyone because some owners of an apartment block simply collect rents and do not repair their property,” he said.
He added that the law should provide the necessary tools to recover costs directly and immediately from the owners of such buildings, rather than over a long period of time.
Cases near Saint Lazarus
Hadjicharalambous said dangerous buildings in the Saint Lazarus area are included among the 110 cases currently being inspected by the experts.
If the experts’ report concludes that any of these buildings must be demolished, the organisation will proceed immediately with their demolition, he said.
On dangerous listed buildings, Hadjicharalambous said the Department of Town Planning and Housing’s conservation unit, under the Ministry of Interior, must be involved before any action is taken, as listed buildings cannot be demolished without approval.
Source: CNA