Municipality seeking compensation for theatre collapse

THE NICOSIA Municipality is seeking €3m in compensation from all implicated parties following the collapse of the municipal theatre roof on an empty auditorium in June 2008.

Nicosia Mayor Eleni Mavrou said yesterday that the local authority did not have the means to repair the building.

The civil court case filed by the municipality is based on the findings of the investigative committee into the collapse, and has as its target those involved in the €6-million renovation of the municipal theatre before its roof collapsed.

“The municipality has proceeded with filing lawsuits against all those implicated. We’re speaking about the surveyor, architect, civil engineer while the contractor is also involved though at first glance, it seems they are not responsible but from here on, that is a question for the judge,” she said.

“The municipality does not have the economic capacity to repair the theatre,” she added.

Mavrou noted that two options were currently being discussed regarding the future of the theatre.

One scenario involves the private sector to secure the necessary financial means to restore the theatre and fix the damage caused when the roof collapsed.

Another option raised by parliamentarians “which we see positively” is for the theatre to be renovated to hold the plenary sessions of parliament as the new parliamentary building planned has been put on the back burner due to the current state of public finances.



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