The problems in the electrical installations in refugee settlements and especially in the settlement "Makarios III" in Larnaca were discussed on Tuesday at the Parliamentary Committee on Refugees.
In statements after the Committee's meeting, the Chairman of the Committee, AKEL MP Nikos Ketteros, said that the facilities are outdated and largely dangerous and of outdated technology, while the quality of life and dignity of the refugees is also an issue.
"We cannot nowadays force displaced persons to enter the house next door to flip the switch in case of a breakdown. Elderly people have to wait when the neighbour will return to the house to lift the switch," he said.
He added that the refugee population, who were given a 40-50 square metre house without a title deed, should not be burdened with the cost of 2-3 thousand euros to fix the problems in the electrical installation. He also said that the NRC pointed out that these are obsolete installations and components, which need to be replaced for safety reasons. The Commission, he noted, asked the relevant bodies for a specific and short time plan to correct the problems.
Kettiros also said that the Commission examined the problems of the apartment buildings in the Government Housing Estate of Omonia in Limassol.[/B] He said the blocks of flats look like they came out of a war zone, hot water is a luxury, damp and mould have moved in with the refugees while the project to install lifts is delayed.
He added that the nine-year complete abandonment of the government settlements has accumulated problems and "we see them as a mountain today".
DIKO MP Christos Senekis, referring to the issue of electrical installations which he said has been registered by DIKO for discussion, said that apart from the fact that these are outdated electrical installations, which endanger the safety of the residents, the main switches of the houses in that neighbourhood are not placed per house, but are grouped by 3 or 4 houses, so that in times of bad weather, when the main switch of a house "goes down", the resident has to wander through the neighbourhood to locate his own main switch.
"We have asked the AEC and the other State agencies involved to ensure that there is an immediate comprehensive response to the problem and end the insecurity and suffering of the residents in this neighbourhood and wherever else similar problems may exist," he said.
To this end, he added the Commission is scheduled to review the whole issue on February 15, 2022, to be updated on progress towards its resolution.
Source: CNA
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