Five Nicosia district mayors want the Town Planning Department to give them the findings of a study concluded in 2020 on the structural stability of apartments in government refugee housing estates.
The mayors of Nicosia, Latsia, Strovolos, Lakatamia and Aylandjia are also calling on the newly-elected Nikos Christodoulides administration to inform those living in these buildings whether their lives are in danger.
Philenews also said on Thursday that following an informal meeting of the five mayors they also slammed in a joint statement the persistent refusal by governments throughout the years to duly inform both the House Refugee Committee and local authorities and affected public, in general, on this.
They also noted that apartment buildings were built at least 45 years ago without the observance of current seismic codes, required inspections and supervision.
That was due to the urgent and massive need to house the refugee influx sparked by the Turkish invasion of the summer of 1974.
“The victims of this invasion are, by majority, elderly citizens who remain victimized and trapped in apartments in unsuitable and largely, probably dilapidated, apartment buildings,” the announcement also said.
“The chronological ineptitude of the state to proceed holistically in the management of the issue under consideration may become criminal if a natural disaster takes place. Just like it has become apparent in and after the recent earthquakes in Turkey and Syria”.
