Government intensifies crackdown on encroachments; forms fact-finding committee

In alignment with recent Cabinet directives, the Municipal Council’s Finance and Legal Committee has taken firm steps to address violations involving the unauthorized use of state land.

During its meeting today, the committee established a fact-finding subcommittee to investigate encroachments and unlawful commercial exploitation of government-owned property.

The move follows increasing concerns about the widespread misuse of state land for private commercial gain, often without proper licenses or legal justification.

Committee Chairman Fahad Al-Abdul Jader told Al-Rai that the subcommittee was formed in response to government instructions aimed at curbing the misuse of public land and enforcing existing regulations.

He emphasized that the committee’s mandate includes examining both the direct exploitation of state property and the practice of commercial activities in non-designated areas.

“The phenomenon of exploiting state property for commercial use without legal basis is growing. It represents a violation of public funds and undermines the principles of equal opportunity and justice,” Al-Abdul Jader said.

He noted that the violations are “significant and varied” and require a systematic review of the oversight mechanisms within government institutions. The subcommittee is expected to commence its work within two weeks and will develop operating procedures to guide its investigation.

In other decisions, the committee retained on its agenda discussions about regulations for umbrella structures and public parks adjacent to private homes. It also approved a request from the Public Prosecution for exemption from fees related to issuing property description certificates for legal cases.

Regarding Sabah Al-Salem University City, the committee deferred discussion on Kuwait University’s request to be exempted from Clause 7 of Article 1 of Ministerial Resolution No. 206 of 2009, related to the medical campus project.

Subcommittee tasks include identify sites of commercial encroachments on state property without legal basis, verify compliance of relevant authorities with procedures in addressing violations and investigate illegal commercial activities in undesignated areas.

This is in addition to summoning relevant ministries (finance, municipality, commerce) to provide documentation and data, determining the causes behind the encroachments and assess lapses in oversight and submitting a final report with findings and actionable recommendations to the parent committee.