Parliamentary committee reviews systemic issues at the Department of Lands and Surveys

On Thursday, the Parliamentary Committee on Audit examined a report by the Auditor General regarding the Department of Lands and Surveys. Representative Maria Pavlou stated that the department faces chronic structural weaknesses, including significant understaffing and issues with property requisitions for defense purposes. According to the report, uncollected revenue reached €18.5 million in 2024, an increase of €3 million compared to 2023. Audit findings, based on a random sample, highlight a failure to monitor lease agreements or enforce debt collection. As of mid-2025, there were approximately 8,000 pending applications for state land leases, with an average processing time of eight years. The Audit Office criticized current legislation, noting that the practice of individuals identifying state land to request leases lacks transparency. Furthermore, the report identified 1,100 cases of illegal state land leases, some of which have remained unresolved for over 15 years.