Syria Grants Governors Direct Authority to Tackle Illegal Construction
In a move aimed at enhancing administrative efficiency and curbing unregulated urban expansion, the Syrian government has decided to grant provincial governors broad, direct authority to address illegal construction. Under the new mandate, designated as Order No. 14883 and announced by the Ministry of Local Administration and Environment, internal oversight bodies within the ministry, provincial administrations, and technical services directorates are now authorized to conduct field audits and investigations into building violations immediately upon their occurrence.
These measures are part of the state’s efforts to streamline bureaucratic procedures and accelerate the resolution of cases involving illegal construction on-site, rather than relying on lengthy administrative processes. The decision empowers governors to approve the results of investigations and audits, and subsequently refer violators directly to the relevant judicial authorities to initiate legal action. The scope of responsibility for these violations encompasses all relevant parties, ranging from property owners to contractors and supervising engineers, ensuring that liability is accurately attributed to each party involved.
However, the decision includes specific exemptions for cases involving clear criminal offenses as stipulated under the General Penal Code or the Economic Penal Code. In such instances, all reports and documentation must be referred to the Central Agency for Control and Inspection for review and approval according to established legal procedures, thereby ensuring procedural integrity in cases of a criminal nature.
This initiative complements the ongoing efforts by the committee tasked by the Ministry of Local Administration and Environment with reviewing Legislative Decree No. 40 of 2012. During July, the committee finalized a comprehensive set of technical tables for classifying building violations and establishing standards for managing them. These guidelines are primarily intended to uphold structural safety and safeguard the urban master plans of Syrian cities and administrative units. The measures represent a new mechanism for developing urban oversight and halting the haphazard development that negatively impacts infrastructure and the general aesthetic of residential areas.
Source: Syria Focus Arabic
