Over 400 RAK houses in danger of collapse

A government panel visiting southern areas of Ras Al-Khaimah found that more than 400 houses are tottering and in danger of collapse as they were built several decades ago, press reports said on Wednesday. The panel from the presidential court and the ministry of public works inspected Adhan, Gail Wadi Koub, Ais, Aim and several other southern areas in the emirate to check the residents’ needs for houses, schools and other facilities. “The panel found that 404 houses are in a tottering and dilapidated condition,” said Walid bin Hareb, deputy director of housing at the ministry. He said they include 212 houses in Adhan, 86 in Gail, 66 in Wadi Koub, 30 in Aim and 10 in Ais, adding that the committee would present a report on the public needs of those areas to the presidential court. “Most of the houses in those areas were constructed during the 1970s and 1980s, which means they should be replaced… dwellers have carried out much maintenance of their houses over the past years but they are no longer fit.” He said the report would also include a recommendation to meet the needs of residents in those areas for schools, hospitals and other facilities. “Some of those areas are in bad need for schools,” said Mohammed Al Mazroui, a member of the panel. “Residents have to travel long distances every day to take their children to schools as they do not have them in some areas.”