'Municipality': Removal of construction debris, demolition, and restoration are the contractor and property owner's responsibility
The Municipality confirmed that removing debris is the responsibility of the contractor and owner, emphasizing the necessity of explicit clauses in contracts.
Translated by Qiyas from السياسة — Original source
Kuwait Municipality confirmed on Wednesday that the removal and transportation of debris resulting from construction, demolition, and renovation works fall outside its jurisdiction, with responsibility resting on the contractor and the property owner.
Al-Humaidi Al-Mutairi, Director of the Safety Department in Al-Jahra Governorate, stated in a press statement that the responsibility for removing such debris lies with the homeowner or the contractor, in the event that a specific contract has been signed between the two parties.
Al-Mutairi added that the Municipality consistently advises property owners that when concluding any contract with a contractor, the agreement must explicitly include a clause stipulating that the contractor bears the responsibility for the rapid removal of construction debris within a period ranging from three to seven days, depending on the scope of the work.
He noted that another contractual condition requires the provision of construction containers in front of sites where construction, renovation, or demolition activities are to take place, emphasizing that the Municipality has recently observed significant compliance in providing these containers.
He pointed out that the Municipality’s campaign, “Amr La Takhrab” (Do Not Destroy), currently focuses on construction debris. A violation notice is issued against the contractor if a contract exists with the owner. However, in minor residential works, such as unlicensed renovations, the Municipality issues violation notices against the owner.
He stressed that during field inspections, the Municipality strives to raise awareness regarding the requirements of the safety regulations code to avoid violations, which may incur substantial fines and potentially lead to the suspension of the company’s and the owner’s operations.
Al-Mutairi highlighted that debris resulting from private property works must be disposed of in designated sites, and stockpiling it in front of homes should be avoided to prevent violations and fines.
He called on plot and under-construction house owners to follow the official accounts of Kuwait Municipality to benefit from awareness messages and guidelines to be published periodically, and to contact the Municipality to inquire about any regulatory requirements, thereby facilitating their procedures and ensuring compliance with systems and regulations.
