Strovolos Municipality has instructed the Nicosia District Local Government Organisation (NDLGO) to seek court orders for the immediate removal of two unauthorised marble plaques bearing commandos’ names added to the Lieutenant General Nikolaos Katountas monument.
The municipality labelled the plaques illegal in a Monday statement. It explained that the previous council never approved their installation.
Council demands enforcement
On 8 October 2024, the full municipal council unanimously backed the mayor’s stance and called on the NDLGO to enforce removal of the two marble structures.
Strovolos stressed it lacks legal power under the Municipalities Law to act directly. The municipality also confirmed it received no invitation to the unveiling ceremony and played no part in organising it.
NDLGO confirms design breach
In its own statement, the NDLGO acknowledged that builders erected the monument in the correct location but altered its artistic design from the version the Monuments Committee originally approved.
Authorities issued planning permission on 16 November 2023 and Strovolos granted building permission on 28 June 2024. The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works applied for the permits through the Department of Public Works because the monument occupies part of a public road.
On 26 November 2025, the NDLGO served an enforcement notice on the Director of Public Works and the Director-General of the Ministry of Transport.
The organisation will refer any future application to modify the design to the Deputy Ministry of Culture for fresh Monuments Committee approval, as legislation requires.
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