Chairman of the Council for Reconstruction and Resettlement (CRR) Nicos Mesarites has said that the Council is ready whenever Famagusta is returned to its lawful inhabitants to reconstruct it.
In statements to CNA, Mesarites said that “we have drafted a plan which describes the services and the persons in hierarchy of the services who will have to take action and the role that everyone will have and the raw materials which are needed.”
He added that plans have been made regarding the actions to be taken in Famagusta during the first three months, providing for taking over control and the possibility of launching works in the town.”
As he said, the state will have to take control of the town, facilitate access, evaluate the constructions, secure the citizens’ security and establish state services on the ground.
With regard to the planning for the first three months, Mesarites said that this concerns an action plan with an international code. As he noted, it was drafted according to international standards and concerns every action in detail with a view to avert any problems.
He said that the planning aims at making citizens feel safe as regards their access to the town.
Asked when the citizens will be able to settle in the town, Mesarites said that beforehand all necessary utilities, such as water and electricity services, will have to be fully functional.
He also said that some buildings may only need repairs while others may have to be demolished.
Asked about the cost of this plan, Mesarites said that it has not yet been determined as this will be implemented by public services.
He said that after this plan, normal reconstruction will follow, to bring the town back to life. The planning, as he said, provides for the temporary functioning of services, such as the port, the fire service and hospitals.
Mesarites noted that the whole plan will be coordinated by a central point in the areas of Famagusta which are under the control of the government and will be controlled by a central point in Nicosia.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern third.
Famagusta was captured by the advancing Turkish troops during the second phase of the Turkish invasion, in mid August 1974. Ever since, it has remained sealed off, under the control of the Turkish army.
