Drainage system of Al Awir market proves successful

He, however, added that wrong use of the rooftops by shop-owners has damaged the profile sheet used for covering the roof and caused leakage in some shops. Al Jaziri said that many traders have violated regulations by using the top for storage, and have damaged the roof metal by drilling holes and cutting out parts of it for installation of air-conditioned ducts, laying of pipes and other installations. “We are trying very hard to make sure that the problems traders face at the market are solved at the earliest, but to be successful we need co-operation from them,” Al Jaziri said. He added that the mindset of some traders is still the same as when they operated in the old central market in Hamriya, where they could do with their space as they pleased.

The civic body, he said, has spent millions on the new market and traders have to understand that they share the responsibility of maintaining it with the civic body.

“We find that this is not the case. These are gross violations of building and market regulations, but for the moment the municipality is keen to discourage rather than penalise the violators,” Al Jaziri said.

The civic body will have the roof damage repaired soon and this will require the removal of installations that violate regulations and general guidelines, he said.

Al Jaziri also appealed to the traders to reach their views and feedback on the issue and all other issues pertaining to the central market, to the civic body through the traders committee.