Plan to intensify raids on Jleeb makeshift markets; 3,000 shops open with no permit

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12 cafes shut, 30 blocked passages reopened

KUWAIT CITY, Jan 25: In continuation of the process of organizing Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh and eliminating informal markets, Kuwait Municipality laid down a new plan targeting warehouses, collection and sorting centers ‘hidden’ inside some buildings in Hassawi, reports Al-Rai daily.

Director of the Municipality branch in Farwaniya Eng Muhammad Sarkhouh revealed several new methods through which teams of the branch operate as per the instructions of Director General of the Municipality Eng Ahmad Al-Manfouhi. He said the list of more than 30 properties has been prepared for electricity disconnection due to violations. He affirmed the Municipality continues its campaign to eliminate random markets, the latest of which was carried out Wednesday, when the Harami (thief) Market was raided.

However, some street vendors quickly displayed their goods behind famous markets in the area, and they usually move from one location to another to avoid the municipal teams, he disclosed. He said the plan includes eliminating stores where violations were uncovered, along with whoever supplies them with goods and foodstuffs; indicating electricity has been cut off from most of these stores. He added the concerned municipal teams are closely monitoring the collection, sorting and storage centers. He explained “the monitoring process takes place remotely, as we are targeting those with violations, especially since they are hidden inside buildings. Therefore, the goal is to enter these properties and the campaign will intensify in the next few days.”

On the other hand, Director of Public Sanitation and Road Usage Department in the Farwaniya branch of the Municipality Sa’ad Al-Khurainj announced that the campaign resulted in the arrest and issuance of citations to 18 street vendors who were referred to the relevant authorities. He said six lorries of vegetables, fruits, clothes and used furniture were confiscated, while 20 neglected cars were taken to garage for impounded vehicles. He added 163 stickers were placed on neglected cars, in preparation for impounding them once the grace period specified in the posters ends.

Meanwhile, there are around 3,000 shops in Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh area that are operating without relevant licenses, reports Al-Qabas daily quoting informed sources from Kuwait Municipality. They explained that these shops are part of the “black market” in various business aspects ranging from food items to money exchange.

Majority of the violating shops are located within the private residential areas where such shops are banned as per the decisions of the Municipal Council. Teams formed by the municipality will start a series of campaigns from November 17 with the aim of closing these violating shops. The campaigns are expected to last for three months.

Meanwhile, head of Violations Removal Department in Farwaniya Municipality Eng Fahd Al-Muwaizri said the campaign to remove violations observed in Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh area has already begun, asserting that the campaign will continue until all the violations are removed. He revealed that the last two days witnessed the removal of 12 violating cafés established on state properties, 105 violating sunshades, 12 violating rooms, 350 fences, metal chains and stairs. Also, 30 passages between houses were opened after removing the blocks.

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