Six illegal structures demolished by Muscat Municipality in Seeb

Muscat: Six illegal structures have been demolished in Seeb, the Muscat Municipality has said.
The action was taken after occupants of the structures failed to produce any documents or other proof of legal ownership. Hence, the structures were found to be in violation of the laws of the land.
The Municipality had been observing 10 structures in the area and has now demolished six of them. The other four were left intact, pending further investigation.
The Municipality’s operations were carried out in the context of its efforts to counter the phenomenon of illegal structures while protecting public property.
The Municipality said it has been monitoring 191 other illegal structures in Seeb, 90 of which have already been demolished. Some of the structures’ residents have been issued ownership documents by the Ministry of Housing and others are still being evaluated by the Clearing Committee.
Owners of the illegal property have been given some time to produce any documents or other proof of ownership of the land. The structures that were assigned to be demolished are in the Jafnain area of Seeb and their removal has commenced, based on an administrative decision to establish a committee for the immediate demolition of illegal structures in 2007.
This was done in cooperation with the Royal Oman Police (ROP), the Ministry of Housing and the Public Prosecution.
Muscat Municipality further said violators were reminded not to violate the law again.
The demolished structures included buildings and fences made from permanent and non-permanent materials, sheep shelters and piles of bricks. Also, a well had been dug illegally on state-owned land.
The Municipality has tried to deal with randomly built structures inside homes and on farms, which, according to the Municipality, are often rented out to expat workers.
Structures, for which a permit has been issued, such as rooms and kitchens, are only intended to serve the needs of the occupant and cannot be rented out to expat workers, the Municipality emphasised.
Citizens and residents have been warned against housing any expat workers in residential areas. The local order (23/92) stated that erecting labour camps, except in areas allotted by the government, is not allowed.
Exceptions to this rule are small structures that are built for workers at construction sites, with the permission of the Municipality.