Our News

Rubble Trouble!

HEPCA is delighted to pass on the news that the City Council has started a new initiative to significantly improve the quality of life in and around the Hurghada area. There have been many laws issued over time by the Ministry for Health and the Environment which clearly state that it is illegal to irresponsibly dispose of, or omit to remove any form of waste. HEPCA’s responsibility, as far as the contract with the City Council is concerned, is to collect and dispose of the more than 2,000 tons per week of day-to-day of garbage which the city and its residents, visitors and businesses produce. This remit does NOT extend to building materials and debris left behind by irresponsible building owners and contractors which litter the streets in and around the city. Most residents of Hurghada will have a newly completed building or a building in progress close by. Very few of these buildings can claim a clear uncluttered area in front and around the site. It is the legal responsibility of the owner to ensure that all debris, rubble, unused materials and the like are removed from the site (and the surrounding area which has most likely also been contaminated) and furthermore to dispose of it in the location designated and provided for this purpose by the City Council. One or both of these actions are all too often ignored. Pressure may be upon the owner to clear up around the immediate area if only to make the building more appealing to potential tenants or buyers but this debris is then often moved only as far as the next available open space and dumped. So accumulations of rubble pile up in empty plots, alongside stretches of open road and along the highways to and from the airport – in full view of visiting tourists. Not a great first impression – or last memory! The City Council has acknowledged that the situation is out of control and therefore in consultation with HEPCA has now started an extensive programme which will continue through the coming months to clear all the highways, roads, streets and pathways of Hurghada. Starting from the north on the ring roads, continuing through the whole city and as far south as the route to Makadi Bay. Already underway the campaign will comprise up to 8 loaders/diggers and 8 tipper trucks working full time to achieve the goal of a rubble-free Hurghada. HEPCA are proud to be involved in a consultative role and to offer assistance with staffing and logistics. This is over and above HEPCA’s normal role of garbage collection and removal will in no way affect the service. The end result will however, be a cleaner, healthier Hurghada which will be easier to clean…. and keep clean!