Ajman to fine litterers Dh10,000

AJMAN // People caught dropping litter on beaches or the Corniche will face fines of up to Dh10,000 under plans to clean up the emirate’s beauty spots.

The fines, the highest in the UAE, are part of a clampdown on those who leave waste despite the availability of bins.

Yahya Al Reyaysa, director general of Ajman Municipality and Planning Directorate, said rubbish on beaches and roads affected the image of the emirate and the environment.

“The step of imposing the penalty is to preserve the natural environment while ensuring harmful substances are placed in the garbage bins and not scattered everywhere,” he said.

“We have even allocated a boat to clean up Musheiref Creek from all the garbage being dumped by beachgoers.

“We will intensify our presence during public holidays and weekends to deter violators, who must strictly respect and abide by the cleanliness rules.”

Residents agreed the litter problem required action by the authorities, although some had mixed reactions to the Dh10,000 fine.

In Sharjah, anyone caught littering can face a Dh500 fine. In Dubai fines range from Dh500 to Dh1,000, while littering carries a Dh500 penalty in Abu Dhabi.

“There is too much litter, especially on Ajman Corniche where even the seawater near the shores changes its colour and sometimes gives a bad smell,” said Burki, an Ajman resident who was walking at the Corniche.

“The authorities have to stipulate a big fine that would make anyone think twice before littering anything.”

It is not unusual to see large piles of rubbish – such as soft drink cans, bottles, papers and leftover food – at some beaches, said Geofrey Lusaggi, another resident.

“But asking someone to pay Dh10,000 for a litter of something like a bottle is way too much,” he said.

“If it was for the corporate and industrial rubbish or construction companies dumping their waste in the sea, that would be different.”

Hafiz Khel, who also lives in Ajman, said that besides the huge fine, officials should also organise regular clean-up operations along the emirate’s coastline.

“Authorities should fix some days of cleaning in every month, as it is done in other emirates,” he said. “Awareness campaigns on littering should also be done, targeting beachgoers.”

Part of the problem is that there are not enough bins along the beaches to cope with all the rubbish generated by visitors, with some areas having no bin at all, residents say.

And it is not only the coastline that is being damaged by rubbish – the city’s streets are often littered with waste paper, plastic bags and wrappers from sweets and chewing gum.

“The municipality should hire a private company to do its cleaning like Sharjah has done, and there is some improvement in Sharjah,” said a resident, Nasiri Ahmed.

As well as fining individuals, companies should also have to pay for failing to clean their premises or if their employees leave rubbish behind.

“Companies, especially in the new industrial area, have to ask their employees to stop dropping litter and also be strict with violators,” said Godfrey Wampona. “The municipality should fine the individual who litters once found, and also charge the company where he works a bigger fine.”

ykakande@thenational.ae