Muscat – The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources (MAFWR) is carrying out inspections to check and limit drilling of random and unlicensed wells.

The Control Department of the Directorate General of Agriculture and Water Resources in Dhahirah Governorate on Wednesday seized equipment used for drilling wells without licence in the wilayat of Yanqul, while taking legal action against violators.

On August 17, the water control team of the Directorate General of Agriculture and Water Resources in North Batinah arrested citizens in the wilayats of Suwaiq and Saham who drilled wells in houses under construction without obtaining necessary licences from MAFWR. ‘Equipment used for digging the wells were seized and legal procedures are being completed against the offenders,’ the directorate in North Batinah stated.

On the same day, an unlicensed automatic drilling machine and unlicensed manual well digger were seized in Dhahirah.

Digging unlicensed wells attract a fine of RO2,000 and imprisonment of one year, MAFWR has warned.

Rampant digging depletes ground water reserves, besides violating regulations and laws governing public property.

A total of 913 water licences were issued in May 2022, according to statistics issued by MAFWR.

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