**Nicosia Faces Building Safety Crisis**
Nicosia, Cyprus – The Nicosia district is grappling with a significant building safety crisis, as updated figures reveal that 711 structures have been officially classified as dangerous. This alarming statistic was released by the Nicosia district government organization (EOA) on Friday, prompting calls for urgent government intervention and funding.
The EOA is advocating for a consistent annual budget of €2 million over the next decade to address the growing issue of unsafe buildings in the district. Currently, the organization is managing a total of 1,495 cases related to building safety. Of these, 711 buildings have been formally added to the register of dangerous structures, while 130 are in the process of being officially declared dangerous, and 654 are still undergoing inspections.
Despite the serious nature of the situation, the EOA has only managed to evacuate residents from two dangerous buildings thus far. Additionally, warning letters have been issued to owners of seven other buildings, with plans to initiate legal proceedings if they fail to take action. In two instances, the EOA has sought court permission to demolish buildings after owners did not respond to warnings, and five buildings have been secured with fencing as an immediate safety measure.
The EOA has cited a lack of staff and inadequate funding as major obstacles in addressing the crisis. The organization only assumed responsibility for managing dangerous buildings in April of the previous year, a transition that it claims occurred without sufficient planning. The EOA has called for the interior ministry to have better prepared for this responsibility, including the establishment of necessary software, staffing, and fee structures that accurately reflect the costs involved in managing these buildings.
To further address the issue, the EOA has proposed the creation of a special fund by the finance ministry. This fund would provide loans for urgent repair work when property owners refuse to undertake necessary renovations. The EOA suggests that these loans should carry a higher interest rate to deter owners from viewing them as an easy option. Should owners fail to repay the loans, the debt would be registered against their property.
The technical chamber of commerce, known as Etek, has also raised concerns about the current state of building safety in Nicosia. Etek president Constantinos Constantis described the situation as a "perennial and systemic problem," emphasizing particular concern for blocks of flats that lack proper management committees. In such cases, repair efforts are often delayed due to the absence of a coordinated financial collection system.
Constantis has called for a comprehensive approach that transitions from merely recording dangerous buildings to implementing effective management and prevention strategies. He advocates for improved regulations governing shared buildings and their management committees, as well as enhanced powers for authorities overseeing building safety. Regular inspections and the establishment of a single online register for dangerous buildings are also key components of Etek's proposed reforms.
A new bill is expected to be introduced in parliament in early September, which aims to clarify the categorization of buildings. This legislation would differentiate between "potentially dangerous" and "dangerous" structures, allowing authorities to take proactive measures such as evacuation, repair, or demolition. The bill would also empower authorities to restrict access to properties and impose fines of up to €40,000 on owners who fail to comply with safety orders.
While Etek has expressed optimism about the proposed legislation, Constantis has cautioned that funding for actual repair work remains a critical issue. Both the EOA and Etek agree on the necessity for regular inspections of older buildings, particularly those constructed before modern earthquake safety regulations were implemented.
Constantis lamented that the state often reacts only after incidents occur or complaints are made, rather than taking preventive measures. "We must act as suppliers and not always as firefighters, after a failure or, even worse, after a tragedy," he stated, highlighting the urgent need for a shift in approach to building safety in Nicosia.
As the crisis unfolds, the call for government action and adequate funding has never been more pressing, with the safety of Nicosia's residents hanging in the balance.