PM Orders Utility Cuts for Illegal Building on Farmland

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly has ordered the immediate suspension of utility services at any site where illegal construction on agricultural land is detected, describing the protection of farmland as a matter of “national security” linked directly to food security.

Under the directive, utilities must be disconnected within 48 hours of identifying an unlawful spatial change. Removal procedures are to be carried out while structures remain in the “cradle” or foundation stage, with construction not permitted to advance beyond that point.

Madbouly stated that preserving every acre of agricultural land is a national obligation rather than an administrative option, warning that delays in executing removal orders would constitute gross negligence.

The cabinet has introduced four monthly performance indicators for local officials: the speed of detecting encroachments, the time required to implement removal decisions, the recurrence rate of violations in the same area, and the total net loss of agricultural land.

These metrics will be used to assess enforcement effectiveness. During the meeting, Madbouly also instructed governors to treat their work during Ramadan as an early practical test of administrative performance.

He directed daily personal monitoring of essential commodity availability and price stability, alongside full coordination with supply and regulatory authorities to prevent monopolistic practices and unjustified price increases.

Each governorate is required to submit weekly reports throughout Ramadan detailing commodity conditions, interventions and operational challenges.