First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior: No leniency with illegal properties... Demolition of dilapidated structures when necessary to safeguard lives

Kuwait City, July 15 (KUNA) – The First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sheikh Fahad Youssef Al-Saud Al-Sabah, affirmed that there would be no leniency toward properties violating regulations, stressing that all necessary legal measures would be taken against them, including the demolition of buildings at risk of collapse or in a dilapidated state whenever necessary to safeguard lives and property.

This statement was made in a speech by Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef, as conveyed in a press release issued by the Ministry of Interior following his direct supervision of a security campaign carried out in the Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh area, involving 11 government entities to monitor violations on buildings, encroachments on state property, and the evacuation of non-compliant and structurally unsafe buildings and plots.

He stated that the security campaign conducted in Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh marks the beginning of a continuous phase and will not be limited to that area alone, but will extend to cover all governorates of the country. He emphasized that Kuwait’s reputation is a top priority and that ensuring the security and safety of everyone living on its soil is a responsibility that brooks no negligence.

He added that his observations during the campaign in Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh revealed the severity of environmental and health pollution in the area, noting that among its residents are workers in hospitals and restaurants, which could facilitate the transmission of diseases to them and subsequently to their workplaces, posing a threat to public health.

The statement explained that the campaign aims to address housing units lacking safety and security standards and overcrowded with single individuals and families, to prevent any disasters or accidents, in addition to monitoring and apprehending violators of residency regulations, lawbreakers, and those engaged in unlicensed commercial activities in private residences and operations violating regulatory requirements.

It clarified that the campaign was implemented under the direct supervision of Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior, Major General Abdulwahab Al-Wahab, with participating entities carrying out their respective duties, including cordoning off and securing the area, cutting off services to non-compliant buildings, monitoring unlicensed activities and residency violations, encroachments on state property, and issuing necessary violation notices.

The participating entities in the campaign were identified as the Kuwait Army, the Ministry of Interior, the National Guard, the General Fire Department, the Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy, the Ministry of Public Works, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the Public Authority for Manpower, the Public Authority for Food and Nutrition, the Kuwait Municipality, and the Medical Emergencies Administration under the Ministry of Health.

He noted that fully equipped shelter sites were prepared to accommodate those evacuated from non-compliant buildings, providing all necessary comforts for families and expatriate communities, in consideration of humanitarian concerns.

The Ministry of Interior stressed the continuation of security campaigns across various regions of the country, in application of the law and to safeguard lives and public property, as well as to protect societal security. (End) A.J.R. / H.A.