Old Nicosia committee demands mayor’s resignation over redevelopment dispute

Nicosia, Cyprus. A committee representing shopkeepers and residents in old Nicosia demanded Mayor Charalambos Prountzos’ resignation on Wednesday, hours after he briefed a Disy delegation on municipal proposals to revitalise Makarios Avenue.

Municipal plans and finances

Prountzos briefed the delegation on Tuesday evening on the council’s two-year record, its finances and major projects. He put the municipality’s minimum needs at €35 million, compared with a state grant of €22.5 million.

He described plans for the Sopaz industrial area as potentially the largest development project in Cyprus. He also called for a park at the old state fair exhibition site to give Engomi and west Nicosia their “own green lung”.

The municipality said its Makarios Avenue proposals would go before the council in the coming weeks. Prountzos said he expected government and House support, as any change to the avenue requires parliamentary approval.

Committee rejects approach

The committee rejected the mayor’s approach, accusing him of mishandling public consultation on the redevelopment of pedestrian areas. It claimed he had signed a contract worth tens of thousands of euros with PWC, paid for with municipal funds, to “buy the result” against small businesses and residents.

The committee also criticised the promotion of student dormitories under construction in the centre as a solution to the area’s problems.

“We demand the immediate resignation of mayor Prountzos,” it said. It declared there was “no room for cooperation” and rejected every public and private position he had taken.