Nicosia, Cyprus. Auditor-general Andreas Papaconstantinou said on Wednesday that the Audit Office is not currently investigating the Paphos municipality, but would act if irregular activity arises. He also described delays in completing the Vasiliko terminal as “unacceptable”.
Report delivered to the president
Papaconstantinou was speaking after delivering the Audit Office’s 2024-2025 report to President Nikos Christodoulides.
Christodoulides said the Audit Office was an important corrective pillar of the state and that further initiatives would be undertaken to “strengthen the safety net” for civil service decisions.
Paphos municipality complaints and potential reviews
Papaconstantinou said the Audit Office has received “some complaints” about the Paphos municipality and that he would meet with people who requested to see him.
“When I receive these complaints and they are evaluated, we will decide when and which reviews to carry out,” he said, adding that this is the procedure followed in all cases.
He said there were plans to check two “high risk” municipalities in the Limassol district, though this may be revised.
Asked if there were any complaints pending before he assumed his duties, Papaconstantinou said there were not.
Police complaint and attorney-general involvement
Papaconstantinou said he had been informed that a complaint was made to the police, and that the Audit Office was asked to contribute by forwarding findings from an inspection.
He said the findings were provided and the case proceeded through Paphos police and is now, as he has been informed, with the attorney-general.
Energy projects and service inspections
Papaconstantinou said delays in implementing various energy projects were discussed with the president, without going into detail about the Vasiliko terminal or the Great Sea Interconnector (GSI) cable.
He also said the Audit Office was carrying out undercover inspections to assess what people experience when visiting state services and departments.
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