7,000 demolition orders for illegal buildings in Mahalla

CAIRO – 16 June 2017: More than 7,000 demolition orders have been issues for illegal constructions in the second district of Mahalla, district head Osama Zakaria said in a Friday statement. The orders will be executed after necessary security examinations by the relevant authorities, he added.

Zakaria also announced the names of the infringing buildings, their owners and their locations.

Most of the illegal buildings were constructed after 2011’s January 25 Revolution, said Zakaria. He added that other demolitions will take place as the district is still locating other infringing buildings.

Furthermore, Zakaria issued an official statement to warn people from dealing with buildings established contrary to Law No. 119 of 2008. In his statement he added that the district is not responsible for any deals related to these properties in accordance with Articles 66 and 67 of the Construction Law. He further explained that the presence of residents will not prevent the execution of demolition orders.

Gharbia Governor Ahmed Daif Saqr also confirmed that citizens need to verify the validity of licenses before buying or renting any property, as dealing with any violating property violates the law.

The governor ordered all city and neighborhood heads to declare the names of all infringing buildings and to inform people to stop dealing with them.

The campaign in Gharbia comes as part of a nation-wide campaign against illegal buildings encroaching upon state-owned land, many of which were built after 2011’s revolution.