Latest news with #GhanimAlBuainain
Daily Tribune
07-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
MPs reject state accounts and endorse 11 recommendations for audit reforms
Eleven recommendations to improve oversight and control over public spending have been backed by Parliament, following a yearend audit that uncovered BD3.9 billion in unrecorded state borrowing and a budget gap that more than tripled in 12 months. However, MPs stopped short of endorsing the government's financial statements. In yesterday's session, they rejected the final accounts for 2023, the budget execution report, and a breakdown of ministerial fund transfers prepared by the Ministry of Finance. The Financial and Economic Affairs Committee's report, based on the National Audit Office's 2024 review, was approved. It sets out 11 proposals aimed at correcting long-standing failures in procurement, record-keeping and debt reporting. The measures call for a clear shift in how ministries handle public funds. Repeated violations MP Maryam Al Dhaen described the report as 'a clear plan that deserves to be followed' and said repeated violations had become routine. 'Some of the answers we receive are for show,' she told the chamber. 'What's needed is responsibility. Each agency, each person, must be held to account.' She called for a public timetable to carry out the proposals, and for regular updates to Parliament on the steps taken. Figure Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, His Excellency Ghanim Al Buainain, told MPs that the government had already acted on more than 84 per cent of the audit's findings. That figure, he said, had improved on the previous year. A new digital system had made it easier to track progress, and closer contact between the Audit Office and government bodies had sped up responses. He said 315 observations had been addressed, with 153 breaches reviewed internally. Two were referred to the ministerial legal committee. None were sent to the Public Prosecution. Sharp verdict MP Hassan Ibrahim gave a sharper verdict. 'The repeated breaches revealed in the report point to a structural shortcoming in financial and administrative oversight,' he told the chamber. He cited BD223 million in overspending in 2022, uncollected public funds, and repeated failures in managing vehicles, stockpiles and contracts. The lawmaker also noted that some ministries had hired foreign workers despite earlier pledges to limit hiring to Bahrainis. Formal signing In several cases, contracts were delayed by over a year or began without formal signing. Ibrahim pointed to the size of the national debt, which reached BD17.9 billion by the end of 2023. This figure equals roughly 131 per cent of GDP at constant prices. Interest payments alone totalled BD843 million. 'We're dealing with billions in loans, some of which were never recorded. That should worry anyone in this room,' he said.
Daily Tribune
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Tribune
Shura Council Sends Education Bill Back for Revision Over Implementation Concerns
The Shura Council has voted to return a draft education bill for further review after members raised concerns about the potential consequences and vague language of the proposal. The bill seeks to amend Decree-Law No. 25 of 1998 to prioritise the employment of qualified Bahraini nationals in private schools and training institutes, in a bid to support graduates struggling to find public sector teaching roles. While the initiative aligns with Bahrain's Bahrainisation efforts, members questioned whether the proposed law, in its current form, could lead to confusion, be difficult to enforce, or produce unintended outcomes. Clear Intent Needed Lina Qassim, rapporteur for the committee reviewing the bill, said the proposal aimed to reinforce Bahrainisation by translating policy into enforceable law. 'The idea is to ensure that these efforts are applied consistently, not left vulnerable to changing interpretations,' she told the Council. However, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs H.E. Ghanim Al Buainain urged caution, saying the draft was 'too loose' and could be easily circumvented. He cited previous legislation in the health sector that included specific provisions for positions requiring rare skills — a level of detail lacking in the current bill. Merit vs Nationality Al Buainain also stressed that while giving Bahrainis a fair chance was important, hiring decisions should remain merit-based. 'If qualifications are equal, then preference can be given to Bahrainis — but merit must lead,' he said. Training and Support Needed Dr. Ahmed Al Arrayedh called for stronger training initiatives, recalling how Bahrainis were once sent abroad for education and returned to become successful educators. 'We must invest in building the capability to ensure long-term success,' he said. First Deputy Chairman Jamal Fakhro echoed the sentiment, stressing that no legislation can substitute for clear intent and strategic planning by institutions. 'You identify what the job needs, then train Bahrainis accordingly,' he said. Calls for Clarification and Penalties Legal Committee Chair Dalal Al Zayed pointed out the lack of enforcement mechanisms in the bill. 'There are no penalties for non-compliance, and private institutions haven't been consulted,' she said, also highlighting challenges faced by local graduates, including a lack of diplomas and poor English proficiency in some subjects. Dr. Jameela Al Salman, head of the Services Committee, argued that the draft reflects current legislative direction and provides room for future adjustments. She noted that employing Bahraini teachers not only supports the economy but also reinforces local culture in the classroom.
Zawya
18-02-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Bahrain records 23% drop in expat civil servants
Bahrain - The number of expatriate workers in Bahrain's civil service has dropped by 23 per cent from 2019, MPs have been told. Parliament and Shura Council Affairs Minister Ghanim Al Buainain, who is also politically responsible for the Civil Service Commission, said in a written response to two parliamentary questions, that the number currently stood at 5,800 expats compared to 7,582 expats in 2019. 'The 5,800 is just 14pc of the total workforce in the civil service with the rest of 86pc being nationals,' he added. 'The government is working to reduce the number further and replace expats with more qualified Bahrainis under a comprehensive strategy and executive plan. 'Around 58.5pc of the expats are in the educational and higher education jobs, 31.5pc are in medical professions and 10pc in miscellaneous sectors. 'We have advertised jobs for Bahrainis in genome and molecular biology, veterinary medicine, geology and hydrogeology, agricultural engineering and sciences, marine sciences, groundwater and land surveying, well excavation and discovery, but it was difficult to find suitable candidates.' The minister will be available during today's weekly session to comment on any further queries from the chamber's foreign affairs, defence and national security committee vice-chairman Hassan Ibrahim and services committee vice-chairman Mohammed Al Olaiwi, who had asked the questions. The two questions replace three queries originally directed at Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Minister Nawaf Al Maawda, who apologised in writing for not being able to attend the Parliament session as he was busy with delegates attending the Islamic Dialogue Conference to be held tomorrow and on Thursday. Transportation and Telecommunications Minister Dr Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, who is on an official visit abroad, also apologised for being unable to attend the weekly session. However, he named senior officials to respond to queries the MPs may have on topics related to his ministry. Meanwhile, Parliament is set to vote to refer to the relevant committee for review amendments to the 1973 Advertisements Law referred by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. MPs will also vote to refer a mutual investment protection and encouragement agreement between Bahrain and South Korea presented by HRH Prince Salman to the relevant committee for review. Copyright 2022 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Daily Tribune
16-02-2025
- Health
- Daily Tribune
Parking discount incentive joy for seniors, sickle cell patients at SMC
TDT | Manama Paid parking at Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC) is here to stay, but plans are in place to introduce free spaces for staff, blood donors, and some medical cases, along with discounts for seniors, people with disabilities, and those with sickle cell disease. In a written response to Parliament, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, His Excellency Ghanim Al Buainain, said the government had looked at the urgent proposal calling for free parking for Bahraini patients at Salmaniya and other hospitals and health centres. While agreeing with its aims, he made it clear that charging a small fee had kept parking from being clogged up by those who did not need it, ensuring spaces remained open for actual patients. 'The government always works to make healthcare easier to reach while improving services to meet the public's needs,' he said. 'The current paid parking system at Salmaniya has helped keep spots available for those who really require them.' Daily operations To keep things running, authorities have brought in Bahrain Real Estate Investment Company (Edamah) to handle upkeep, upgrades, and daily operations at the parking facilities. This, Al Buainain said, fits within a wider push to improve health services while keeping them competitive both locally and abroad. As part of the next deal to run the car parks, the government will set aside free spaces for hospital workers, blood donors, and certain patients. There will also be discounts for older people, those with disabilities, and people with sickle cell disease.
