Sharjah Municipality responds to viral video of illegal barn: Owner was given one year to comply

Sharjah - A total of 140 illegal barns in the emirate had already been dismantled as the municipality ramped up inspections.

Owners of illegal barns, which were dismantled by the Sharjah Municipality, were all given warning notices and a grace period to comply with regulations, authorities have clarified in response to a viral video.

A video clip that recently circulated on social media showed a torn-down makeshift barn and some livestock left under a tree, feeding on scattered grass.

Adil Omar, director of municipal inspection, stressed that the video did not reflect the fact that the owner of the barn was given one full year to shut it down and remove the illegal structure.

"We have given him a number of notices but he did not respond. It was impossible for us to remove it without issuing a warning. The barn was found open and without a guard," Omar said.

The Sharjah Municipality has been cracking down on illegal barns in the emirate to keep residents safe. These unauthorised activities had previously resulted in farm animals being found on the loose, causing accidents on the roads, Omar explained. Villagers had also been complaining as they kept seeing animals roaming aimlessly in their neighbourhoods.

So far, 140 illegal barns in different parts of the emirate had already been dismantled under the municipality's campaign. Owners were issued several warnings but they failed to respond.

Authorities have urged the public, especially livestock owners, to support the emirate's goal of keeping their surroundings clean and the roads safe.

The municipality has been working with the municipal council to monitor these barns and stop illegal activities. Inspection campaigns shall continue, Omar said.

"Illegal barns will continue to be removed after notifying owners and informing them of potential dangers," he said.

As part of the solution to the problem, organised barns have been established for livestock owners who do not own legal farms. In fact during the previous Eid Al Adha, a special market was created, allowing them to sell their livestock legally.

"We have allocated more than one area for barns in Sharjah. These are regular farms that comply with requirements," Omar said.

afkarali@khaleejtimes.com

• Sharjah