By Mary Nady
The updated bill, approved by a joint parliamentary committee on Wednesday, aims to provide citizens with a more feasible way to resolve their construction violations. This highly anticipated legislation will replace a 2019 law that has caused complications for individuals seeking reconciliation with state authorities regarding their illegal construction activities. According to Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Alaaeddin Fouad, the new draft bill will simplify the process for owners of unauthorized buildings to make amends with municipal authorities and legitimize their structures by paying reconciliation fees.
Fouad stated to the joint committee, “The amendments aim to create a new construction code that will be respected by all.” The government has put significant effort into ensuring that this bill addresses all issues related to construction violations. A discount of 25 percent will be granted to those who choose to pay reconciliation fees in full, or over a maximum of five years through installment payments. Furthermore, the bill will also legalize constructions built illegally on state-owned lands or with a unique architectural style in exchange for paying the reconciliation fees.
To facilitate reconciliation requests, committees will be formed in all governorates. The collected fees will be allocated towards constructing homes for low-income citizens, as stated by the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs.
According to Mohamed El-Fayoumi, the head of the housing committee, the bill has the potential to greatly benefit citizens by providing a more efficient way to resolve construction disputes and violations. It will also play a crucial role in putting an end to the widespread informal housing issue that has taken over the country since the 1980s, resulting in the rapid growth of chaotic communities and slum areas, El-Fayoumi added. In agreement with this, Ahmed El-Sigini, the head of the local administration committee, expressed optimism that the new bill will effectively address the challenges faced by citizens under the current 2019 reconciliation law.
El-Sigini estimated that there are approximately 2.8 million construction violations, further highlighting the urgency for this new bill. The parliament’s upcoming session on Sunday, 19 November will include debates on the expected introduction of this new bill.
