Construction activities will be allowed to resume in Egypt
within a few days, four months after the country suspended construction so
authorities can review building licenses and deal with construction violations
across the country, Egypt's cabinet spokesman said.
The cabinet said on Monday that pending the issuing of the new regulations within the coming days, those who have already received building permits will be allowed to resume construction as long as the structure is no taller than four stores.
The move comes one day after President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi instructed the government to speed up the issuing of the new regulations.
Egyptian municipal authorities were ordered in late May to suspend the issuance of new construction permits and to halt building activities that are underway in Cairo, Giza, Qalioubiya, Alexandria, and other cities for six months.
During a meeting via video conference with governors today, PM Madbouly instructed provincial officials to follow up on all complaints filed by the citizens regarding settlements with the state over the building violations.
In January, President El-Sisi ratified a law allowing citizens to settle with the state over building violations, with the exception of those pertaining to safety standards, authorized height or purpose, historic buildings, and others.
Madbouly also hailed the "large turnout" of settlement requests, stressing that "building violations on farmland will no longer be allowed", he added that the government is preparing to build "civilized housing projects" in all major cities, and that those who live in decrepit or expropriated buildings would be relocated.
Madbouly said in previous statements that some properties nationwide have been expropriated to build infrastructure projects to alleviate pressure on facilities that have been overwhelmed by the expansion of unplanned construction.
Source: Ahram Online
