Kuwait Municipality launches an ad monitoring drive across all governorates.

KUWAIT CITY, Sept 18:  Kuwait Municipality has intensified efforts to monitor advertising licenses across all governorates through a series of targeted field inspection campaigns aimed at ensuring compliance with municipal regulations, the authority announced on Thursday.

As part of this initiative, teams are inspecting health licenses and commercial advertisements at various establishments to verify the validity of advertising permits, particularly for rooftop and screen displays, as well as mall-based signage, in accordance with Kuwait Municipality regulations.

Bader Al-Najdi, Supervisor and Head of the Hawally Municipality inspection team, told KUNA during a field tour of a local shopping mall that the team’s core mission is to ensure that companies and institutions adhere strictly to the advertising licenses issued to them.

He noted that the inspection team carried out 32 visits to different shops on Thursday alone, issuing fines to nine establishments for failing to renew their advertising licenses or for displaying advertisements without prior municipal approval.

Al-Najdi added that comprehensive statistics will be compiled on violations, warnings, and collected fees. These will be used by audit and follow-up departments across municipal branches to prepare monthly financial reports, which will be submitted to the Financial Affairs Department.

He emphasized that inspection teams will not hesitate to enforce regulations and take necessary control measures against violators, in line with the Kuwait Municipality’s operational framework.

Calling for full compliance with municipal laws, Al-Najdi stressed that the safety and inspection departments in all governorates are committed to upholding the Municipality’s standards through proactive and ongoing field campaigns.

KUWAIT CITY, Sep 18: The General Fire Force carried out an inspection campaign on Wednesday evening in the West Abu Fatira Al-Hirafiya area to ensure that shops and commercial establishments comply with fire safety and prevention regulations.

During the campaign, two establishments were administratively closed for violating safety standards. Additionally, 16 notices and warnings were issued to other businesses found to be non-compliant with the requirements set by the General Fire Force.

KUWAIT CITY, Sep 17: In a major security and environmental protection operation, the Border Security and Coast Guard Sector, under the General Directorate of Coast Guard, has arrested 12 illegal Bangladeshi workers who were operating from a camp owned by a Ministry of Interior officer.

According to the Ministry of Interior, the camp had been turned into a hub for infiltrators engaged in illegal fishing activities inside Kuwait Bay. The workers were reportedly absent from their official sponsors and were using the facility to conduct unlicensed and damaging fishing operations.

Investigations revealed that the group had been targeting the Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Nature Reserve, cutting through protective fishing nets to gain entry. They used off-road motorcycles (known locally as Buggies) to move within the reserve and access restricted fishing areas. The workers carried equipment to catch fish and shrimp, and after completing their operations, they resealed the damaged nets with iron wire in an attempt to conceal their actions.

Authorities stated that the catch was sorted at the camp before being loaded into a vehicle owned by a restaurant registered in the name of the officer who owned the camp. During the arrests, officials also seized 20 sets of fishing equipment.

The Ministry of Interior emphasized that no one is above the law, pledging strict enforcement against all violators. The 12 workers will be administratively deported, while legal proceedings will be initiated against their sponsors. In addition, companies found to be in violation will face permanent closure.

The officer who facilitated the illegal activities will be referred to the competent authorities for disciplinary and administrative action. He has also been ordered to dismantle the camp at his own expense.

The Ministry reaffirmed that these measures are intended to uphold the authority of the law and deter anyone from abusing their position, power, or influence to cover up violations. Safeguarding Kuwait’s security and natural resources, it stressed, is a national responsibility that cannot be compromised.