Burned down Naif Souq will be rebuilt in eight months, says top civic official

Dubai: Dubai Municipality will compensate traders whose shops were destroyed in last week's Naif Souq fire in addition to building a new market for them, said a top official.

"All traders whose shops were gutted in the Naif Souq will get compensation from the Dubai government regardless of whether they had insurance or not," said Hussain Nasser Lootah, Acting Director-General of Dubai Municipality.

Lootah told a press conference yesterday the Dubai government had instructed the municipality to speed up rebuilding work of the new Naif Souq and compensation of losses incurred by traders.

Around 183 shops were gutted in the fire that broke out in Deira's Naif Souq on April 2.

Hustle and bustle

Lootah said the municipality had already prepared the design of the new market.

"It will have the theme and spirit of the old souq and will be built following local architectural designs."

There will be around 350 shops, almost double the capacity of the destroyed souq. The souq will be a two-storey, air-conditioned building, and will have additional facilities for traders and shoppers. Lootah said the new Naif Souq will be built within eight months.

"We will bring the hustle and bustle back to Naif Souq by the end of this year," he said.

Until the new souq is built, traders will be moved to a temporary souq, which will be built within two months on a piece of land about 500 metres from the burned down souq.

"Traders will be charged minimal rent at the temporary souq and will also be given priority at the new souq," Lootah said.

Regarding compensation he said municipality officials were holding meetings with affected traders to evaluate their losses.

Municipality inspections

Dubai Municipality inspectors conduct random warehouse inspections and cannot be held responsible for the recent fires, said the civic body chief.

"There are over 3,700 warehouses in Dubai and they store moveable material. Although our inspectors conduct checks on them it is the traders' responsibility to store items ensuring safety rules," said Hussain Nasser Lootah, Acting Director-General, Dubai Municipality.