Auditor General criticizes Limassol Municipality over service contract mismanagement

The Auditor General of Cyprus has flagged irregularities in the hiring practices of the Limassol Municipality regarding a town-planning enforcement officer. On February 18, 2021, the municipality signed a 12-month service contract with an individual for €12,000 plus VAT. Although the contract included a renewal option, the contractor declined to exercise it upon its expiration on February 17, 2022.

Following this, the municipality initiated a fast-track tender process, ultimately awarding a new contract to the same individual for the period between April 15, 2022, and April 14, 2023. The value of this second agreement was €21,600 plus VAT, nearly double the original amount. The audit revealed that the contractor failed to submit mandatory monthly reports as required by his terms of service. Furthermore, the individual was granted additional paid assignments, including one instance where the contractor did not possess the excellent knowledge of the Greek language required by the tender specifications. The report highlights systematic failures in oversight and adherence to tender requirements throughout the engagement period.