State-backed efforts to repair damage wreaked on the Ionian island of Kephalonia by two earthquakes earlier this year are progressing at a satisfactory pace, Transport and Infrastructure Minister Michalis Chrysochoidis told a parliamentary committee this week.

State engineers have inspected more than 3,000 buildings on the island, deeming around 1,500 to be habitable and another 1,500 requiring repair, with 200 slated for demolition, the minister said.

Subsidies worth 400,000 euros have been disbursed to around 600 families whose homes suffered damage while another 370 appeals are pending, he added.

Meanwhile, with the tourist season at its peak, applications by local hoteliers for state aid to carry out repairs are being processed as quickly as possible, the minister indicated. Of the 17 appeals, nine have been approved while the rest are pending, he said, noting that the total cost of repairs to damaged hotels is estimated at 1.1 million euros.

Progress is being made with repairing school buildings too, as well as damaged roads and other infrastructure, particularly the port of Lixouri, which was hit hard by the quakes.

Source: ekathimerini