KUWAIT CITY, June 23: The Mangaf fire incident has starkly exposed the widespread issue of building violations in Kuwait’s investment and private sectors. It has been revealed that real estate owners took advantage of loopholes in supervision by authorities such as the municipality and the Ministry of Electricity and Water, reports Al-Jarida daily. They constructed unauthorized studio apartments within buildings, often without proper approvals, thereby overloading the electrical network and exacerbating the country’s current summer crisis with increased power demands.

During a tour of Farwaniya and Hawalli Governorates, it was observed that these violations commonly involved converting building entrances into makeshift studio apartments consisting of a single room with bathroom and kitchen facilities. These unauthorized constructions not only strained state services but were also aimed at maximizing rental income from these makeshift units, typically found in buildings of up to nine floors.

Following the Mangaf fire, concerns were raised about the ineffectiveness of supervisory authorities in preventing such violations. Sources from the electricity sector emphasized the critical importance of maintaining infrastructure integrity, stating that unauthorized constructions put undue pressure on the electrical and water networks, secondary electricity stations, sewage systems, and parking facilities. This situation was exacerbated by the rapid increase in unregulated population density around investment buildings across various governorates.

In response to these issues, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Sheikh Fahd Al-Yousef issued instructions to address these violations promptly. This directive led to ongoing campaigns aimed at removing illegal constructions and mitigating their impact on infrastructure. Despite initial efforts to cut off power to these units, many violations persisted due to insufficient follow-up and enforcement in areas like Farwaniya and Hawalli. Authorities reaffirmed the state’s commitment to safeguarding public services from exploitation and abuse, ensuring that those responsible for unauthorized constructions face legal consequences. The focus is on curbing the influence of profiteers who have exploited regulatory loopholes for personal gain, at the expense of infrastructure stability and public safety.