RESIDENTS IN the Nicosia areas are incensed at a recent decision to raise by one-third fees payable for the construction of sewerage pipes
The works are necessary because of the re-asphalting of several main roads across the capital.
The affected suburbs are Makedonitissa, Acropolis, Aglandjia, Lakatamia and Archangelos.
But inhabitants of these areas say the levy is illegal and has been imposed on them arbitrarily.
They argue that they are already saddled with a fixed annual fee for maintenance of the sewerage system.
Residents became wary after noting that the new tax is payable to the Nicosia Sewerage Board, which – at least in theory – is an autonomous organisation. In reality the NSB’s board is comprised of the mayors of the various Nicosia municipalities and their councillors. Nicosia mayor Michalis Zambelas presides over it.
There is a sneaking suspicion that this method of payment was engineered on the quiet by the powers that be so as to deflect attention away from the municipalities themselves – taxes are unpopular, and election time is looming.
What’s more, residents say, the municipalities should have budgeted for these roadworks in time instead of subsequently asking the people to foot the bill.
For its part, the NSB has countered that the project will improve the quality of life in the capital. It has also argued, somewhat speciously, that a comprehensive solution to the state of the roads, coupled with a certain cost to dwellers is better than a “shoddy job here and there.”
The whole re-asphalting endeavour will cost some £30 million, a burden expected to be shouldered by the taxpayers over the next 25 to 30 years, by which time, no doubt, new works will be required.
Critics say all this could have been avoided had the cash-strapped municipalities pressed the government for more funds, although such calls were not likely to be heeded as the administration is striving to reduce the budget deficit.
According to estimates, Nicosians pay up to five-thousandths on the value of their immovable property each year in various municipal taxes.
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