Abu Dhabi Municipality cracks down on illegal construction

Abu Dhabi: An Abu Dhabi Municipality campaign against illegal constructions, which began yesterday, does not have as its sole objective, intentions to stop the practice of "sharing accommodation", a senior official told Gulf News.

"To stop the practice of 'sharing villas or apartments' is not our priority at the moment but we are taking strict action against all sorts of unauthorised constructions and overcrowding in all buildings," said Engineer Omar Mohammad Al Hashemi, the Division Manager of Municipal Offices at the Abu Dhabi Municipality.

He reiterated the municipal's decision on the policy of not implementing the "one family in villa rule" in Abu Dhabi, as reported in the Gulf News on October 29, last year.

"But we are targeting any kind of illegal constructions such as partitioning, alteration, addition or modifications done without the permission of the municipality," said Al Hashemi.

"Such illegal constructions threaten the safety of the residents and the public," he said.

Al Hashemi said that although there is no blanket ban on sharing accommodation, the municipality will not tolerate overcrowding in residences.

Al Hashemi also said evicting bachelors from residential areas was not a priority of the campaign.

"Our priority is (to focus on) all illegal activities which threaten the public's safety."

The campaign is being conducted in cooperation with the Public Prosecution, the Civil Defence Department and the Abu Dhabi Police department.

Civil Defence officials will also check whether any of its safety rules and regulations have been violated, he said.

All the violators will be referred to public prosecution for further legal action, the official said. In a recent interview with Gulf News, the former General Manager of the Municipality had said: "We discourage the sharing of villas and apartments in the best interest of tenants. Although tenants can save some money, sharing accommodation minimises the quality of life."

"Besides (the) likely increase of crime, sanitation problems and transmission of diseases, crowding in a residential area delays rescue operations in the event of an accident like fire."