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The Minister of Interior Mr. Konstantinos Ioannou today, during his visit to the construction site where the demolition of two of the five blocks of flats included in the first phase of the "BuildingZO" project in the Municipality of Latsia has begun.
"The start of the demolition work is now a fact and marks the practical implementation of the first phase of the BuildingZO Plan, just a few months after the Government's announcement of the Plan, which aims to provide a comprehensive and definitive solution to the long-standing stability problems of the blocks of flats," the Minister said. He stressed that, as a State, "we have undertaken the moral obligation to ensure safe and dignified living conditions for our compatriots who are experiencing the consequences of illegal occupation."
According to the Interior Minister, there were and are difficulties, however, the Ministry of Interior, and in particular the Department of Planning and Zoning, stands by the beneficiaries to help, support and guide them.
Ioannou expressed the Government's determination for the successful implementation of the Plan, and conveyed satisfaction at the increased interest from beneficiaries, despite, he said, initial concerns. Specifically, of the 43 apartment buildings included in the first phase, of which 20 are in immediate danger of being demolished, a total of 274 beneficiaries have expressed interest in participating. Another 16 cases have expressed their wish to withdraw from the scheme, while a total of 143 cases of beneficiaries have been granted a rent subsidy, with a total monthly expenditure of around €100,000. In addition, the Home Secretary referred to the Committee to examine the vulnerability of beneficiaries, which examined on the basis of criteria the socio-economic situation of 64 beneficiaries and recommended covering part of the contribution for 59 of them. As he said, the coverage of the contribution will be provided by money provided by donors such as OPAP Cyprus and other private companies.
"I want to stress once again that the Plan is not static. We are not dismissive of any suggestions for improvements, amendments and I can tell you that, as far as possible, we have made improvements and amendments, primarily from suggestions from the beneficiaries, but also from the Chairman of the Refugee Committee and the members of the Committee. I would also like to thank the Mayor of Latium for his excellent cooperation and his City Council, the ETEK and other institutions that have helped. Above all and above all, the Director of the Planning and Zoning Department and the officers of the Department for the really very hard and painstaking work they have been doing all these months."
Responding to a question, the Minister said that a total of five apartment buildings in the Municipality of Latsia will be demolished under this contract. He noted that by the end of the year the contract for the demolition of apartment buildings in the municipality of Strovolos will also be tendered, followed by the demolition of the remaining 20 apartment buildings. At the same time, Mr. Ioannou said, groups of 16 beneficiaries have been created, they are proceeding with their briefings, appointing coordinators and proceeding in cooperation with the Department of Urban Planning. "We are also taking part in meetings to help them, to guide them properly. Any problems questions arise, we resolve them and we will be here all the time throughout the duration of the BuildingZO Plan."
Asked when the building of the new apartment buildings is expected to start, Ioannou pointed out that "this is mainly and primarily up to the beneficiaries themselves. For example, the first group has been set up, they have appointed a Coordinator and very soon they will proceed to get bids, always with our guidance, and then the building will start". He reiterated that the Ministry is constantly at the side of the beneficiaries and offers all possible support.
For his part, the Mayor of Latsia, Mr. Christos Pittaras, after expressing his sincere thanks to the Minister, the Director and staff of the Department of Urban Planning and Zoning for their assistance, as well as the Chairman of the Refugee Committee of the Parliament, said that a 12-year story is coming to an end. "The apartment buildings were dangerous for our residents, for the people who lived in them, mostly elderly refugee residents who had been living here since the 1980s. These apartment buildings were built for temporary housing. Eventually it seems they have outlived their usefulness. They were for a certain period of time," Pittaras said. He expressed confidence that in a few months the residents of the buildings will be able to return to their new apartments and resume their lives. "We have been waiting for a very long time, with a lot of efforts and the members of the Refugee Committee and the Mayors, especially the Mayor (of Latsia) and other Mayors I must say, who stood by this effort so that the Plan could move forward," said Ketteros. As he noted, "the intervention and determination of the Minister of Interior, who has just taken an initiative, was decisive. And we were particularly pleased because he was one of the few people who showed a sensitivity to remedy the problems that exist for the refugee world, which I have heard many times complaining that we don't have. From everyone I thank him for the effort." He also praised the effort of the Director and staff of the Planning Department. Today, he said, "is not the end, today is the beginning. The important day for us will be the day we enter the new apartment buildings. What I look forward to is the day when someone cuts the ribbon and people get into their apartments to see this grand project completed. The Project has started, it is progressing, it will be completed and everyone for the sake of their people, for their own sake, should go and join this Project so that they can move forward for their own safety and for their own well-being." He finally noted that despite the progress, there is need to increase the speed of implementation to eliminate any concerns from a small portion of beneficiaries and move ahead with the plans.
(MCI)
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