Latest news with #AhmedAlMoqahwi
Daily Tribune
27-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Muharraq Council reviews contract rules to boost municipal income and investment
The Muharraq Municipal Council is reviewing its contract procedures and investment framework as part of efforts to strengthen municipal income and protect the interests of citizens and investors. At a meeting of the Financial and Legal Committee yesterday, chaired by Ahmed Al Moqahwi, councillors examined the way municipal contracts are handled and how procurement is carried out. The review followed a request from engineer Saleh Bu Hazza, the committee's deputy chairman, to revisit the system. Detailed account Abdulla Al Hassan, representing the Muharraq Municipality's Procurement, delivered a detailed account of the department's workings and the rules it follows. Al Moqahwi said the focus was on updating contract terms and procedures to help grow the municipality's financial base while protecting the rights of all parties involved. The Council's work falls within wider efforts to make public spending more open and fair, matching Bahrain's Vision 2030. Councillors pointed to the need for sharper checks on how contracts are awarded and managed, which they said would help deliver better services and raise living standards across the governorate. Fairer competition A review of the rules is also intended to encourage fairer competition among local firms and attract investment, strengthening the local economy. Council members noted that this approach follows the state's broader push for sound public management and balanced growth, aimed at maintaining both development goals and financial stability. It is hoped that the steps taken will help build greater trust between the public and the municipal councils.
Daily Tribune
18-02-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Safer gas, safer homes
Muharraq councillors have backed a proposal to replace metal gas cylinders with plastic ones after a blast in Arad last Wednesday tore through homes, businesses, and places of worship. The explosion, which damaged more than 20 businesses and five homes, has renewed concerns about gas safety, leading to a push for change. The move comes amid renewed fears over the risks posed by traditional metal cylinders. Council member Ahmed Al Moqahwi said the explosion showed the need for a shift, adding that several Arab and Gulf countries, including the UAE, Jordan, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, had already made the switch. 'These cylinders are in use in more than 70 countries, and Bahrain should not be left behind,' he said. Advantages He said plastic cylinders had clear advantages over their metal counterparts. 'A plastic cylinder weighs only 5.3kg, compared to the 17.5kg weight of a metal one,' he said. 'They don't rust, won't explode, and can handle temperatures from -40°C to 65°C, which makes them suitable in all conditions.' He also pointed out that plastic cylinders are easier to store and harder to steal, as they can be kept inside kitchens rather than outside. Indoors 'Keeping them indoors cuts down on theft and lowers the risk of explosions in homes, labour camps, and restaurants,' he said. On the matter of cost, he said a large plastic cylinder was priced at around BD25, with a smaller one going for BD17. In one GCC country, a 12kg version had originally been priced at BD35, while a 6kg model cost BD27, but a BD10 government subsidy was later introduced to bring down prices. Transition He added that old metal cylinders could be scrapped, recycled, or exported, giving companies handling the transition a way to cover costs. He dismissed concerns that the new cylinders could be misused in riots or acts of vandalism. 'They're built to be far safer than metal ones, and that includes making sure they can't be used for anything beyond their intended purpose,' he said. The explosion, which was caused by a gas cylinder, resulted in extensive damage, according to initial findings from the Interior Ministry.
