A building at risk of collapse is any structure or installation of any kind, the total or partial collapse of which could endanger the safety of its occupants, its operators, passers-by or neighboring buildings, even if they are not contiguous.
In this context, Moncef Souidani, director of housing improvement at the General Directorate of Housing, warned on Thursday, October 3 of the worrying state of buildings in Greater Tunis. According to him, almost a thousand buildings are now in danger of collapsing.
Souidani pointed out that the last census, carried out in 2016, recorded 816 buildings at risk of collapse, but that this number had increased significantly in recent years. In a statement to national radio, he said that the rehabilitation of endangered buildings is a municipal prerogative under municipal supervision.
Although a law has been passed to deal with buildings in danger of collapse, the official stressed that the lack of financial resources remains the key problem. However, he pointed out that municipalities can now apply for a special budget under the new state budget to carry out rehabilitation work.
Finally, Souidani pointed out that the lack of cooperation from citizens affected by the evacuation orders is one of the main obstacles to solving the problem.
Fines for offenders
The draft law on buildings in danger of collapse provides for fines of between 2,000 and 20,000 dinars to be imposed on offenders.
The draft law, which will be submitted to the Assembly of People’s Representatives (ARP) in 2023, also proposes to determine the conditions and amount of compensation for victims.
The penalties provided for in the bill will apply to any homeowner who fails to comply with the obligation to notify the authorities, and to any homeowner who, due to the dilapidated state of his or her house, exposes others to harm that does not result in death.
The penalty is doubled if the State or municipality has previously sent a notice to the owner of the property, informing him or her of the dilapidated state of the building and the need to evacuate it in order to carry out repairs or demolish it, but the person in question has not responded favorably to this request.
In fact, a building in danger of collapse refers to any building or part of a building that is in danger of collapsing and poses a danger to occupants, neighbors and others, as well as to public or private property.
According to the bill, these buildings require rehabilitation or total or partial demolition.
Of course, we all dream of a typical Tunisia that preserves its architectural, historical and ancestral features. This would not only beautify the cities; it would also attract large numbers of foreign visitors.
But if we don’t start now, these buildings will collapse! This will add to the ugly, unsightly appearance that has been growing since 2010, but above all it risks causing loss of life and multiple potential damages.
Let’s keep our fingers crossed that this thing doesn’t drag on (…).