Al Ain: Civic authorities in Al Ain have warned home and building owners in the city to comply with building codes or face heavy fines and even demolition of unapproved structures.
The warning came as the civic administration launched a campaign against building code violations and unauthorised construction. The municipality has already started slapping fines and initiated legal proceedings against 224 buildings in different city districts for flouting the rules.
The drive has been launched in response to numerous public complaints asking Al Ain Municipality to take action against illegal and substandard construction in view of the risk they pose to the public. The authorities will not differentiate between companies, investors and building owners, a spokesperson of the municipality said.
According to municipality officials, there will be no hesitation to undertake demolition of illegal structures if they are found to endanger public safety.
Engineer Shaikha Ali Al Kuwaiti, head of Building Inspection and Urban Department at the municipality, said authorities will not tolerate violation of the building codes and any disruption to the affluent lifestyle in the city. The campaign, which will continue until the end of the year, aims at ensuring sustainable development and high quality and safety to the public life and property.
She said the campaign will cover all the districts of the city, getting more intense gradually.
The civic administration has also initiated awareness efforts to educate people on the building codes and safety aspects that also enhance the city's image.
Emirati and expatriate residents must be aware of the risks associated with substandard and illegal construction, she said, adding that builders, designers, and owners mush show a high level of commitment to laws and building regulations.
Surprise raids
"Substandard buildings and illegal constructions not only pose threats to the residents and workers but also causing a harm to the city's image and cultural heritage. We will take all necessary measures to put a check on violations," said Engineer Al Kuwaiti.
Different teams of the municipality will conduct surprise raids in the city during office working hours along with special squads that conduct inspections on weekends and national holidays by night and day, she said. Some 36 cases have already been referred to the public prosecution, she added.
"This is a priority drive to put an end to the abuse of regulations," she said. The civic administration will also not allow modifications and division of existing buildings into smaller units without valid licences or the use of unapproved technical modifications and fencing around construction sites, she said.
Engineer Al Kuwaiti said unregulated construction had grown to extent that it was distorting the general appearance of the Oasis city.
Residents of the city have welcmoed the municipality's campaign and urged the authorities to take a serious note of the substandard houses built inside farms in various parts of the city.
Abdul Qadeer, an expatriate said, substandard and illegally partitioned houses are the last refuge of low-income people. "I would like to suggest that authorities should also rationalise the exorbitantly high rents, making them affordable for everybody. This is an issue of vital importance for many residents," he said.
Iqbal Hussain, another expatriate, said the municipality should also offer a one-window solution to the people looking for necessary permissions for construction and modifications of their homes, office, shops, and other buildings.