In the firing lineManama Council gets tough with violating establishments

HUNDREDS of shops and workshops are in the firing line as the Manama Municipal Council prepares for a crackdown to clamp violations.Next week, the council will review violations by restaurants, garages, workshops and coffee shops and may fine or close down many as an immediate action, chairman Murtada Bader told Bahrain Tribune yesterday.“We are ready to take strict action against the shops who have been violating municipal norms for years with impunity. For example, many restaurants are selling alcohol though they are supposed to serve only food. And many food outlets and coffee shops are serving shisha without permission,” he said.Bader said scores of garages had encroached upon footpaths to carry out repairs without permission. Many garages have abandoned cars on the road after using their parts.He said municipality inspectors, who had been raiding shops and garages, would submit a comprehensive report to the council next week.

Park on way in Karbabad

By rasha al qahtani
A NEW public park will soon be built for Karbabad village residents, it was revealed. Work on the project, estimated to cost up to BD250,000, is scheduled to begin in January and completed by August next year.
The project was initiated by Manama Municipal Council as part of the development programme for the Capital Governorate.
Council member Mohammed Abdulla Mansoor Abdulla said the park, near Le Chocolat in Seef, would feature a variety of facilities for Karbabad residents.
"The park will have rides for children, a walkway and an artificial waterfall," he said.
"It will give the residents of Karbabad a place to escape to from the pressures of modern life.
"The children of the area will also have a safe place to play."
Work on the project, which will be built on an area of 5,762 square metres, is estimated to cost between BD230,000 and BD250,000.
"We will plant a lot of trees, set up shades and instal floodlights around the park to make the place brighter and more appealing and presentable."
Plans for a small zoo to be included in the park at the request of Karbabad residents were scrapped by the council, said Mr Abdulla.
He said the decision was made in view of the many diseases that may be caused by animals.
"The idea of the small zoo was good, but we refused it because we don't want to endanger the health of residents," he said.
"The park will also include other necessary facilities, such as toilets for disabled people since the council takes them into consideration in every project it implements."

A BD2 million predicament!

By MOHAMMED AL A'ALI
MANAMA
COUNCILLORS were divided over the best way to spend a BD2 million increase in their budget. The money was allocated to the Manama Municipal Council by the government, but it still hasn't decided what to do with it.
Councillors discussed a number of proposals including the construction of five multi-purpose halls, an e-library, women's-only health clubs and centres for the elderly. Another idea was to use the cash to buy private lands and convert them into football pitches, parks or lease them to investors.
The issue has now been re-transferred to the council's services and public utilities committee, which will study the matter based on ideas from councillors.
Council chairman Murthada Bader said the issue should carefully be studied before any decision is taken.
"The money hasn't been transferred to us yet and until then we have a lot of time to think about the best way to use the money," he said.
Council technical committee and services and public utilities committee vice-chairman, Jaffar Al Qaidoom, believes the council should think about spending the money on promoting the Capital Governorate - rather than spending it on things that others are responsible for. "We should work hard to come up with better projects that take beautification into consideration," he said.
Mr Al Qaidoom thinks that developing the Corniche should be a priority.
"The place is one of the most visited in the governorate, but until today it hasn't seen anything - even with the council approving immediate renovations to it," he said.
"This money could be used as an addition to the previous allocated budget for the Corniche, which I believe is out-dated and requires more attention."
Mr Al Qaidoom said if the council did not consider his idea, they should look at the services and public utilities committee proposal - which is buying up private lands in good locations and then selling them to investors.
"This will ensure a long-term income to the Manama Municipality and instead of the BD2m given to us, it would become BD10m in a few years time," he said. "Land is the best asset today."

Women health club plan in Manama5 major projects under review

A health club for women – first in the Capital – is among the five major projects the Manama Municipal Council has lined up during its final term.The council is focusing on public services in the governorate as the government has allocated BD2 million.The general committee discussed the projects, council secretary Jassim Redha said yesterday.There are many health clubs for men but there is none for women, he said, adding that the council had accorded priority to the project.“Second is an elderly care centre. We lack healthcare and other services for the elderly. The project will include a social centre for the elderly,” he said.The council is considering acquiring plots of land in congested areas such as the Central Manama to set up parking areas. It also plans to build small public parks in residential areas.“An e-Library is our another project in Manama for adults and children. It will have various multimedia equipment,” he said.“We also plan to build multipurpose halls in different areas for wedding parties, public gatherings, conferences and funerals. In the UK and the US, similar town and city halls have been set up.”He said the council would finalise the projects and present an action plan to the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture for approval.“A total of BD8 million was allocated for the five councils following directives of the Prime Minister and another BD2 million was allocated by the ministry. The total budget of BD10 million has been equally distributed to the five councils,” he said

Abandoned cars to be dumpedMunicipality issues warning

Around 40 abandoned cars have been issued municipal warning tickets for occupying the roadsides and vacant land in Manama areas.The Manama Municipality has pasted warnings on the cars that had been left permanently in one spot for months, said the Secretary of the Manama Municipal Council, Jassim Redha.“These cars have been spotted mainly near car garages in Salhiya, Hoora and Burhama areas. The municipality inspectors will give the owners one week to move the cars, after which they will take it to the municipality scrapyard behind Water Garden. We will keep the cars there for a month for the owners to collect them, and if there are no claimants, we will sell them,” he said.“Often garages purchase old cars, use the spare parts and dump the body on the roadsides. The practice of leaving a car for months on a road or an empty land is prohibited. We have a law of occupancy that states leaving a vehicle in an area for long time is against the law and is not environment-friendly.“The council is taking complaints from public about such abandoned cars. Recently, a number of people have reported such cars near some car garages in Salmaniya area. The municipality will soon visit this area to issue warnings and take further action,” he added.

BD40,000 facelift and a walkway for Hoora Park

By rasha AL qahtani


A RUNDOWN park in Hoora is to be revamped under a BD40,000 renovation scheme.

Hoora Park will be closed in two weeks for work that is expected to take around three months.

The park, behind Hoora Secondary Girls School, will get new equipment, including lighting and a walkway.

Work is being carried out by the Manama Municipality and supervised by the Manama Municipal Council.

Council member Abdulaziz Ahmed Mohammed Al Khaja said that the park would be completely revamped.

"Everything in it will be removed and replaced," he said.

"We will remove the sand, the old fence, the old broken bricks from passages, the trees that can be a hazard, dead grass and old shades."

Mr Al Khaja said that electricity would be connected to the park and an exercise pathway would be built.

"Previously the place was dark and visitors had to depend on the street lights to see," he said.

"We will also instal floodlights around the park to make the place brighter and more appealing and presentable."

Mr Al Khaja said that the park would also feature a new section for children.

"It will have games, slides and swings, in addition to seats especially designed for children," he said.

"The park will also include other necessary facilities, such as toilets for disabled people, since the council takes them into consideration in every project it implements."

Municipality crackdown on illegal practices

SEVEN workshops have been shut down by Manama Municipality in Naim for violating municipal regulations. The workshops, which repaired air-conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, motorbikes and other motor products, had been illegally using the footpath outside their shops for carrying out their work, the chairman of Manama Municipal Council, Murtada Bader, said.“Municipal inspectors had warned them on several occasions, asking them not to occupy the footpaths but the warnings were not heeded. The municipality has therefore closed the shops for a month and given them notice to regularise their practice,” he said.“The municipality had told the shopowners that if they were unable to run their businesses properly without occupying the area outside their shops, they must seek permission and pay fees to the municipality for using it,” Bader said.However, workers at a motorbike workshop which had been closed for a month were caught operating outside the shuttered shop by Manama municipal councillor Sadiq Rahma yesterday. He informed the Manama Municipality director general, Abdulkarim Hassan. The latter has since issued orders to the inspectors to visit the seven workshops daily to ensure they do not operate illegally during their one-month closure period. Bader said during the last week Manama Municipality inspectors and public security had also confiscated goods from a number of street vendors on Shaikh Abdullah Road. “Most of them are free-visa workers,” he said.

Parking clamp

By RASHA AL QAHTANI
TRUCKS and buses could be banned from parking in parts of Hoora, following complaints that there is nowhere left for residents to park.
The problem is being caused by drivers who take their company lorries and buses home and park them in the street overnight, says a councillor for the area.
They take up several parking spaces each, leaving no room for other residents, says Manama Municipal Council member Abdulaziz Ahmed Mohammed Al Khaja.
He said the problem of parked trucks and buses was increasing in Hoora and its surrounding areas, prompting action by officials.
One of the worst-hit areas is Block 318, off Old Palace Road, behind the Ahmed Al Umran Secondary Boys School.
The trucks and buses involved range from four to 16-wheelers, said Mr Al Khaja.
"Trucks and buses which are using these car spaces take up to about three provided car spaces and in some cases four," he said.
"There are many complaints from residents in the area about these vehicles, which cause a big problem between them and the owners of the big vehicles."
Mr Al Khaja said he would meet other members in the municipal council to find a solution, to prevent these big vehicles from parking in the area.
"The council has spoken about this problem previously but they are looking into it seriously now, as it is causing a serious problem to residents," he said.
"Once the decision is agreed, signs will be put up in the area which show that such vehicles are prevented from parking in the area."
The General Directorate of Traffic will deal with violators in the area, said Mr Al Khaja.
"Offenders should and will be charged for violations," he said.
"We are trying to have cleaner streets and neighbourhoods and big trucks and vehicles are things we don't want to see, so wherever we find these big vehicles, the owner or the company responsible will be fined," he said.
"Sixty per cent of vehicles parked in that area are trucks and buses, which take up a lot of space and leave residents in the area to suffer.
"These vehicles cause a lot of traffic congestion and complaints arise from residents and families living in the area.
"Companies responsible should provide minibuses to transport their employees to and from their homes, which will solve the problem caused by these vehicles." Mr Al Khaja said councillors would meet in two weeks to discuss the problem.

New clamp on Capital clinics

By TARIQ KHONJI
NEW applications to set up nurseries and clinics in the capital have been frozen by the Manama Municipal Council, pending new rules to regulate their activities.
The Capital Municipal Council says that it is co-ordinating with the Health Ministry, Education Ministry, Municipalities and Agriculture Ministry and Interior Ministry to come up with the new rules.
The aim is to reduce traffic congestions and further maintain safety in Manama.
About 15 new applications to set up nurseries and clinics have been frozen by the council until the regulations are agreed on, council chairman Murtaza Bader told the GDN.
He said some establishments might also be forced to move their premises following the introduction of the new regulations.
Mr Bader said various parties have been working on the new rules for over two months, but so far have not come to any conclusions.
"It may take a couple more months to complete, but we hope the regulations will help reduce traffic problems in some congested areas and ensure that patients have easy access to clinics," he said.
Mr Bader said traffic was particularly a problem for nurseries, which were located on narrow alleyways.
"These places are just not suitable for 50 cars to come by to pick up or drop their kids off because they cause traffic jams," he said.
"The new rules may also specify that nurseries must be of a certain size to allow the children enough room to play.
"There will also be a standard governing the toxicity of the materials used to paint or build the buildings."
Clinics, nurseries and shisa cafes will also be required to have fire safety measures in place according to the standards of the Civil Defence and Fire Service.
"For example, it is just not acceptable for a nursery full of kids not to have a fire extinguisher readily available on their premises," said Mr Bader

BD100,000 for renovation

NON-Governmental Organisations will recommend names of underprivileged families to the Manama Municipal Council for maintenance work in their dilapidated houses.The Manama Council has decided to invest the unused budget of BD100,000 to rehabilitate these homes, said Jassim Redha, the Manama Council Secretary.The Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture allocated a budget of BD500,000 and distributed this among the five municipal councils equally to run its projects.The Manama Council has decided to use this pending budget to conduct repairs to kitchens, toilets, staircase and do other minor renovation works, he said.“We have seen a lot of people living in miserable condition due to the lack of any maintenance work, therefore, this budget will be used to complete these jobs. We are cooperating with the charity funds in the Manama areas to receive applications from people, investigate the cases and report to the council for final approval.”Redha said: “After the cases have been finalised, we will forward it to a contractor to give us a quotation. Following this we will issue tenders for the maintenance works. This procedure will emphasise the relation between the council and the civil societies and charity funds – we call it integration of NGOs with the government.”“We hope in future this programme will include expatriate families also. They are part of our society and this budget comes from every individual’s municipal taxes,” he added.

Historic park reopens

By ALISTAIR BAPTISTA
A HISTORIC natural spring and park was reopened to the public last night after undergoing a BD530,000 renovation.
The Umm Al Sha'oom natural spring and park, in Mahooz, was reopened under the patronage of Municipalities and Agriculture Minister Ali Saleh Al Saleh.
Also present at the event was Manama Municipal Council chairman Murtadha Bader.
Speaking at the event, Mr Bader said the pool was of historical significance to the residents of Mahooz and neighbouring areas.
"The natural spring had an important role in the village as a meeting point for residents, particularly after they had finished labouring on their nearby farms," said Mr Bader.
"Sweet water from the spring supplied water to Manama, Gudaibiya, Umm Al Hassam and Zinj but the biggest beneficiaries were the residents of Mahooz since the streams from the spring spread across the village to irrigate palm trees and gardens."
He also said the renovated landmark would rejuvenate social life in the area, since it incorporates traditional designs with modern facilities.
An exhibition showcasing various phases of the project featured at the opening.
The main attraction of the park are pools that represent the location of the old natural springs, in addition to a number of water fountains.
The new park covers an area of 5,740 sq m and comprises statues of animals to reflect the history of the spring, in addition to a public park, a mosque, football and basketball facilities, a small canteen and a car park. Umm Al Sha'oom is considered to be the second most important natural spring in the country after Ain Adhari.