Campaign to rectify chaotic Jleeb situation under way as new ‘minister’ conducts tour

Around 40,000 branded imitation goods seized

KUWAIT CITY, Dec 21: The Minister of State for Municipal Affairs Waleed Al-Jassem, on the second day of work, launched field trips to Jleeb AlShuyoukh area.

He was accompanied by officials from Kuwait Municipality, Ministry of Interior and Public Authority for Manpower (PAM) to oversee the success of the field campaigns that were launched last month.

Meanwhile, Director General of Kuwait Municipality Eng Ahmed Al-Manfouhi revealed three areas that will be handed over to PAM temporarily until the construction of labor cities for bachelors, which need time to determine.

He indicated that the campaigns resulted in the closure of more than 500 shops that were operated illegally, and issuance of 1,000 warnings to shops as a preliminary step to their permanent closure.

Al-Manfouhi said six sites will be handed over to Ministry of Public Works to serve as parking area for large transportation vehicles.

He affirmed that traffic congestion will be reduced after heavy vehicles are shifted, especially those operating in the residential areas, stressing that work is ongoing on the right path at present and needs some time to reach the required level.

Al-Manfouhi revealed that the workforce is exerting efforts round the clock to monitor every violation related to marginalized labor force in a bid to deport them.

In addition, Deputy Director General for Manpower Protection Dr Mubarak Al-Azmi said 200 judicial seizures and administrative suspension of all violations in the region have been closed, adding that 80 shops which operated without licenses were also closed.

Fake items seized:

The synergy between customs officers from the Research and Investigation Department and their counterparts at Shuaiba Port thwarted the plan of some unscrupulous traders to flood the Kuwaiti market with 40,000 branded imitation goods. The officers have since confiscated the goods for destruction.

Director General of Customs Advisor Jamal Al-Jalawi assured that the department is determined to protect intellectual property by preventing smuggling of imitation goods into the country. He urged the officers at all points of entry to be more alert and cautious for such a manner of smuggling.

It will be recalled that officers at the port had received prior intelligence that the goods would arrive in the country aboard the suspicious ship. The good included wrist watches, bags, phones and clothing materials, in addition to accessories for women and vehicles. Upon arrival and subsequent search, the officers sent samples of the goods to be checked at the Intellectual

Property Department where they were declared fake. Report has been issued by customs to prosecute the offenders.

Miraculous escape:

Two women two Kuwaitis and a Russian - working at the Kuwait University escaped unhurt after their vehicle overturned on the Bubiyan Island, reports Al-Rai daily.

A security source told the daily, after the Operations Room of the Interior Ministry received a report on the accident paramedics and police rushed to the spot but the Kuwaiti army allowed only paramedics to enter the area because the island is under the manned by the Kuwait Army.

Moreover, the place where the accident took place is unsafe since the recent rainfall has made the ground slippery because it was clogged with water.

The security source added the ambulances stood at quite a distance from the accident while the paramedics were taken to the spot in military vehicles, the women were rescued taken to the Jahra Hospital.

3 Syrians, Kuwaiti fight:

Three Syrians and a Kuwaiti who were involved in a fight have filed complaints with the Ahmadi Police Station accusing each other of assault and verbal insults, reports Al-Rai daily.

According to the Kuwaiti the Syrians had fixed a fault in his car and later the car developed another problem which was a result of fixing the first problem.

The Kuwaiti told police when he brought to the notice of the Syrians, they refused to fix the fault and this caused a fight between them. They have been referred for interrogation.

Indian robbed:

Police are looking for three unidentified people for robbing an Indian, reports Al-Rai daily.

In his complaint to the Fintas Police Station the Indian said he was on his way home after work and the three men pounced on him under the cover of darkness on an open ground, assaulted him and stole his money.

Kuwaiti cheated:

An unidentified Kuwaiti has filed a complaint with the Hawalli Police Station accusing an unidentified Egyptian of cheating him, reports Al-Rai daily.

According to the complainant, he and the Egyptian agreed to import children’s clothes worth 5,600 dinars and each had to invest 2,800 dinars to raise the money. The Kuwaiti said after he paid his share, the Egyptian failed to keep his promise. Police are looking for the Egyptian.