For the safety of the residents of the community of Mari, government decisions made some time ago led to the relocation of the displaced persons who live in or useresidences and properties in the community of Mari to a safer area in Zygi, the District Administrator of Larnaca, Odysseas Hatzistefanou, in a statement regarding the protest by residents, who recently received letters asking them to surrender either the Turkish Cypriotresidences/properties or state-owned housing units that have been built for elderly residents of Mari living alone in Zygi.
Responding to a question from CNA on the matter, the District Governor explained that regarding the relocation of owners of Turkish Cypriot properties, over the past 30 years, decisions were made by the respective Councils of Ministers, and various resettlement plans have been offered to the displaced residents, as the decisions stipulated that, for security reasons, residents living in Turkish Cypriot homes in Mari had to be relocated.
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“Mari is considered a dangerous area for habitation, as it is adjacent to the energy hub and oil companies have relocated to this area from Larnaca; the cement plant and EAC infrastructure are also located there,” he said.
He noted that the danger became all too real with the explosion of ammunition in Mari, which damaged some homes, fortunately without any casualties among the residents, emphasizing that the ultimate goal is for the Turkish Cypriot homes in Mari to be vacated over time.
In the context of these decisions and to implement the resettlement, Mr. Hatzistefanou added, plots of land and increased financial assistance were provided to those who were legally residing in Turkish Cypriot properties and homes, so that they could build a home, he said, noting that the cost of building a home, as well as the age of the beneficiaries, were at a manageable level so that the home could be built and the beneficiary could relocate.
He added that some of them built new homes but, instead of moving into them themselves, continued to live in their Turkish Cypriot homes and had their children move into the new homes.
Regarding the small houses built by the Town Planning Department, he said they were very small and had been allocated mainly to the elderly, on the condition that they vacate their Turkish Cypriot homes in Mari. He explained that these are state-owned properties and no title deeds would be issued to the beneficiaries; consequently, they cannot be bequeathed.
Continuing, the District Administrator of Larnaca said that the current government, in a recent decision and in order to resolve the issue once and for all and for the benefit of those who continued to reside in Mari, had offered them various options, and over the past two or three months, relevant letters were sent regarding 10 to 15 cases.
The options were to receive substantial financial assistance to build a home on the plot of land that had been granted to them, or, if they did not choose this proposal, to retain the right to remain in theirresidence in Mari for the rest of their lives, but at the same time return the plot of land, he explained.
He added that another option offered to those who built a home on the plot and transferred the new home to their children—while continuing to live in the Turkish Cypriot residence themselves— is to continue living in the Turkish Cypriot residence, but for the children who own the newly built home to waive any other right to financial support for housing displaced persons.
He also referred to cases in which construction of the home has begun but remains unfinished; in such cases, as he said, they were offered the option to receive substantial financial assistance to complete the construction of the new home and move into it, or to hand over the plot of land with the unfinished structure and continue living in their Turkish Cypriot homes.
The recipients of the letters responded that they want both the plots—whether they have been developed or not—and to continue living in the Turkish Cypriot homes in Mari.
This demand, explained the District Governor of Larnaca, “cannot be met because of the decisions of the Council of Ministers and because granting this demand would be unfair, since there are many low-income people who are homeless, while there are plots of land that have not been developed, are vacant, and can be used to provide housing for such families.”
He further noted that those who received the plots of land and financial assistance knew from the outset that there was a specific deadline for completing the new home and that if they did not complete the home, they would have toforfeit the plot.
Responding to a question, he said that those who are illegally occupying Turkish Cypriot properties will be evicted, noting that the proposals concern the original lawful owners of these properties.
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Source: CNA
