COUNCILLORS have called for a clampdown on charity collection boxes that have mushroomed in the Northern Governorate.
They have claimed that the boxes, set up to receive donations of clothes, have been arranged in a haphazard manner on roadsides and near shops and homes, often obstructing views and causing accidents.
There have also been allegations that clothes and other items intended for charity are being stolen from these boxes.
The GDN previously reported that Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Minister Essam Khalaf told councillors that regulations issued in 2018 concerning the setting up of charity boxes were being ignored.
Council’s technical committee chairman Abdulla Al Qubaisi said some of the containers, placed near garbage bins, had become a haven for rodents, insects and stray animals that often get trapped inside.
“People are setting up these boxes for a noble cause and that is to donate clothing and other items to charity, but the way it’s being done is not right,” Mr Al Qubaisi said.
“Some of the containers are placed near garbage bins, attracting rodents, insects and strays.
“This isn’t dignified charity.
“It could pose a health hazard, more so at a time when the world is grappling with the Covid-19 pandemic.”
“These boxes are eye-sores that need to be removed.”
Meanwhile, council chairman Ahmed Al Kooheji stressed the need for an organised mechanism to govern the activity.
These collection boxes on major roads are hindering traffic and leading to accidents, he said.
Labour and Social Development Ministry former under-secretary Sabah Al Dossary earlier told the GDN that boxes would be restricted to society headquarters or shopping complexes with charities directed to ask the municipalities for permission to set them up in other locations.
He had added that municipalities were also concerned about potential fraud as conmen set up boxes for illegitimate purposes. “Each constituency has its own issues and in A’ali I haven’t faced a single problem with charity collection boxes,” said public relations and information committee chairman Hussain Al A’ali.
“There shouldn’t be a blanket ban on charity boxes in every constituency,” he said.
“Boxes deemed dangerous can be removed – but the decision should be taken on a case-by-case basis following discussions with the concerned councillor, charities in his constituency and the municipality.”
Councillors unanimously approved the proposal to write an official letter to Northern Municipality director general Lamyaa Al Fadhala to organise the mechanism while also taking into account conditions stipulated in the law and ministerial decisions.
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