By Jamal Adel and Adam Kwafi.
Benghazi, 7 May 2014
The Benghazi Joint Security Room (BJSR) demolished a group of buildings near Suq Zamzam in the city centre yesterday built in violation of city codes. The BJSR published a statement saying that it had arrested members a group who had tried to attack its workers during the demolition.
Illegal construction, both in terms of buildings going up without planning permission and construction on misappropriated state property, has became a serious issue throughout Libya not just in Benghazi. Recently, the head of Saiqa Social Forces in the city, Wanis Bukhamada, threatened to demolish any illegally constructed buildings.
Complaints about illegal construction have meanwhile come from another source.
The Manmade River Company (MMR), has warned that Benghazi could face water shortages if illegal development alongside its pipeline continue.
“We urge the the people not to build beside the road from Al-Hawari hospital to the airport, 20 metres on either side,” head of MMR’s Maintenance and Operations, Sami Al-Jihani, told the Libya Herald.
He said that houses were being illegally built on the road, next to the pipeline which supplies Benghazi with 70 percent of its drinking water.
Authorities had banned construction projects in this area around the pipeline because of the increased risk of water pollution from the drainage from the buildings. Nevertheless, the illegal building has continued.
“The illegal construction and drainages will affect on the pipeline and may lead to pollution of the pipeline,” explained Al-Jihani.
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