Parliamentary committee criticizes delays in KtiZO housing project

During a session of the Parliamentary Committee for Refugees held on Tuesday, officials raised concerns regarding significant delays in the implementation of the KtiZO housing plan. Three years after the project's inception, only one new apartment building has been completed, with a second unit expected for delivery in November. The initiative originally aimed to demolish 43 high-risk apartment complexes and replace them with 19 modern structures.

Nikos Kettiros, an AKEL Member of Parliament and Chairman of the Committee, expressed dissatisfaction with the current progress. He noted that at the current rate of construction, it would take an excessively long time to complete all 19 planned buildings. Consequently, the Committee has formally requested that the Department of Town Planning, the Ministry of Interior, and other relevant stakeholders accelerate the bureaucratic and construction processes to address the outstanding issues.

A significant point of contention involves the Central Agency for Equal Distribution of Burdens. The Committee highlighted the urgent need for this agency to finalize funding decisions for beneficiaries who lack the financial capacity to pay their mandatory individual contributions toward the new apartments. The Committee intends to increase its oversight of the project to ensure faster delivery for those waiting for replacement housing.