Latest news with #NorthernMunicipalCouncil
Daily Tribune
5 days ago
- General
- Daily Tribune
New Jid Al Haj finally gets sewage, lighting, and roads after six years in the making
Sewage, lighting, and roads have finally reached New Jid Al Haj after six years of delay, following the completion of a long-running infrastructure project backed by the government and carried out by the Ministry of Works. Northern Municipal Council chairman Dr Sayed Shubbar Al Wadaei described the development as a turning point for the area. The works, which began in 2019, delivered a sewage network, stormwater drains, water and electricity connections, paved roads, street lighting, speed bumps, and traffic signs. The contract was valued at BD1.05 million, with additional items expected to raise the total cost by BD300,000. Land levelling and backfilling came to around BD50,000. Site visit Dr Al Wadaei said the project followed a site visit on 26 October 2019, during which he and his team met with residents and reviewed the conditions on the ground. The area, he said, was marked by large quantities of building waste, blocked roads, stagnant water, insect infestations, and the presence of reptiles. Basic services such as water and electricity were not available. An action plan was drawn up with the support of the Ministry of Works and the Northern Municipality. The initial focus was on getting electricity and water into homes in coordination with the Electricity and Water Authority. Ease traffic A new road was constructed on the eastern edge of the area to ease traffic and improve access. Eighty truckloads of debris were removed and taken to the Askar landfill. A technical study was carried out to assess road levels and plan the internal road network. This was followed by earthworks and surface preparation ahead of the second phase. Installation That stage saw the installation of the drainage systems, road surfacing, and lighting. The work was completed on 2 June 2025. Dr Al Wadaei said the result was the product of sustained coordination and practical steps based on shared responsibility and cooperation. He thanked Works Minister, His Excellency Ibrahim bin Hassan Al Hawaj, and Undersecretary Shaikh Mishaal bin Mohammed Al Khalifa for their role, and said further development in newly planned residential blocks within the First Constituency remains a priority.
Daily Tribune
29-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
High demand for rubbish bags sparks urgent solutions
The Northern Municipality is straining under high demand, distributing nearly 28,000 bundles of rubbish bags each month. This matches the combined output of the other three governorates, as councillors press for quicker fixes to machine problems. Meeting yesterday, the Northern Municipal Council backed several proposals, among them a car park at the former Diraz scrapyard, new parking spaces near Hamza Mosque in A'ali, and public parking in Block 583 of Madinat Salman. Council member Abdullah Ashour, raised concerns over difficulties faced by residents trying to collect rubbish bags through 'Easy' self-service machines using the new smart ID cards. Ashour said both he and other council members had been contacted by people unable to access bags through the machines, which only recognise the updated cards. He called for service centres in A'ali and Budaiya to reopen, following the example of the branch already active in Hamad Town. The Council member also urged the creation of an automatic link between the Information and eGovernment Authority (iGA) and the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture, to ensure residents' card details are updated without delay. Responding to the matter, Engineer Lamya Al Fadalah, Director General of the Northern Municipality, said a collection point had already been set up at Hamad Town for those unable to use the machines. She explained that the Northern Municipality alone distributes about 28,000 bundles every month through 'Easy'. This matches the combined distribution of Bahrain's other three governorates. Al Fadalah said the Minister of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture had ordered lasting solutions after machines began failing to recognise the new cards. Work is being done to fix the problem. She also responded to calls for emergency supplies of rubbish bags at service counters, saying the municipality must observe strict controls on distribution and maintain full compliance with administrative and financial rules. Al Fadalah added that the Hamad Town branch was set up to help residents struggling with the machines, while efforts continue to adapt them to the newer cards.
Zawya
28-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Plan to resolve old building violations in Bahrain
Bahrain - Thousands of homeowners could be provided with relief under an initiative to drop old residential and social housing violations and allow reconciliation for unrecorded violations instead of strict penalties. The move, spearheaded by Northern Municipal Council services and public utilities committee chairman Abdulla Al Thawadi, was unanimously approved during a recent council meeting. The move aims to resolve long-standing building violations, particularly in residential areas and social housing projects. The proposal recommends dropping old building violations by applying Articles 18 and 383 of the Criminal Procedures Law, which allows violations to be dismissed after a certain period. It also seeks reconciliation in cases where no official violation record exists, instead of imposing penalties. Mr Al Thawadi stressed the importance of resolving this issue, which has been dragging on for years. 'Many homeowners find themselves in a difficult situation where they cannot renovate or expand their homes due to unresolved building violations,' he explained. 'This proposal provides a fair and practical solution that benefits both the government and citizens. 'If implemented, this initiative could provide relief to thousands of homeowners while streamlining Bahrain's urban planning framework.' Mr Al Thawadi highlighted that recent urban development regulations support such measures, making it easier for citizens to rectify their situations while avoiding unnecessary financial burdens. 'In a news article in 2022, the former works, municipalities affairs and urban planning minister said that old and new construction violations are subject to regularisation, except in cases where legal action is explicitly required,' he explained. 'There are economic and social benefits associated with reconciliation of old violations, which can generate revenue for the municipality before they are automatically dropped due to the statute of limitations. 'The introduction of new urban planning standards calls for flexible approaches to older violations. 'Some violations occur in social housing projects due to changes in unit sizes or family expansions, making strict enforcement impractical, illogical and unreasonable.' He added that many homeowners cannot secure housing renovation loans due to unresolved violations. 'Since Bahrain's Eskan (Housing) Bank requires a valid building permit, old violations prevent citizens from accessing financial assistance.' The council's financial, administrative and legislative committee chairman Dr Mohsin Abdulla also supported the move, highlighting its positive impact on urban development and social stability. 'We must recognise that urban development is a dynamic process,' he stated. 'This proposal balances legal enforcement with social realities, ensuring that families are not unfairly burdened by outdated violations. 'At the same time, it encourages compliance with new regulations.' The proposal has been referred to Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Minister Wael Al Mubarak for review.
Daily Tribune
18-03-2025
- Politics
- Daily Tribune
Municipal Councils Take Proactive Measures to Combat Rainwater Accumulation and Mosquito Breeding
As part of a comprehensive preventive plan, the Capital Municipality and the three municipal councils of Muharraq, Northern, and Southern Governorates, in coordination with executive bodies, have undertaken proactive initiatives to drain rainwater before and during the rainy season. These efforts aim to reduce water accumulation and curb mosquito breeding by regularly cleaning rainwater drainage channels, removing debris and waste from public spaces, and clearing overgrown vegetation that may obstruct water flow. These measures have significantly improved drainage efficiency and minimized stagnant water accumulation. Eng. Saleh Taher Taradah, Chairman of the Capital Municipality Council, emphasized the council's commitment to addressing rainwater accumulation points to mitigate environmental and health risks. He stated that, in coordination with relevant authorities, the council continuously monitors mosquito breeding hotspots through public complaints submitted via phone or the national 'Tawasul' platform, along with regular field visits by council members and staff. Taradah added that detailed reports on affected sites are submitted to the relevant authorities for appropriate action, contributing to environmental improvement, public health protection, and sustainable development goals. Dr. Sayed Shubber Ibrahim Al-Wadaei, Chairman of the Northern Municipal Council, highlighted the significance of the rainy season, stressing that municipal councils take into account its social, environmental, and sanitation impacts. He affirmed that proactive measures are implemented to mitigate emergency rainfall effects. Al-Wadaei stated that the Northern Municipal Council prioritizes early preparedness for the rainy season and mosquito control by holding regular consultative meetings with relevant executive bodies. These meetings discuss solutions for water accumulation and mosquito proliferation, establishing clear procedural and coordination frameworks for emergency response. This approach has been integrated into the council's 2025 rainy season preparation plan. Meanwhile, Abdullah Abdulatif, Chairman of the Southern Municipal Council, noted that based on past experiences, the council initiates preparations before the rainy season by holding a series of coordination meetings with government agencies responsible for rainwater drainage. Comprehensive emergency plans and water drainage mechanisms are devised, addressing pre-identified flood-prone areas. Dedicated water suction tankers are deployed on a structured schedule under direct field monitoring. A central control room is also activated to manage operations in real-time, prioritizing high-risk locations to ensure efficient and rapid response. Abdulatif added that rainwater drainage significantly contributes to mosquito control, with continuous monitoring of stagnant water sites to prevent insect breeding. He commended the effective coordination with the Ministry of Health, which operates a hotline to track water accumulation and mosquito egg clusters before and after rainfall. Proactive plans, developed in collaboration with concerned authorities, have yielded positive results this year, with data indicating a 98% decrease in mosquito populations in Wadi Al Buhair compared to the previous year. Eng. Saleh Bouhazza, Vice Chairman of the Muharraq Municipal Council, expressed appreciation for the efforts of relevant authorities during the rainy season. He acknowledged that heavy rainfall posed a significant challenge for the council, municipality, and residents. However, the council acted early by implementing necessary measures, including cleaning stormwater drains and ensuring full preparedness to mitigate potential issues arising from water accumulation. 'We implemented a comprehensive plan to address public concerns and manage rainwater in streets and public areas. Work teams were equipped with the necessary tools to ensure efficient and swift drainage operations. Continuous coordination with relevant authorities was maintained to guarantee high-performance water suction operations,' Bouhazza explained. He further emphasized that the council remains committed to combating mosquito spread by identifying breeding sites and maintaining constant coordination with relevant agencies for systematic spraying operations. Additionally, the municipal council seeks to enhance community awareness about the importance of maintaining residential area cleanliness as a fundamental part of collective efforts to reduce mosquito proliferation.
Daily Tribune
11-02-2025
- Politics
- Daily Tribune
Licence for Outdoor Umbrella
Members of the Northern Municipal Council were divided during their regular session over proposed guidelines from the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs to regulate outdoor umbrellas extending beyond property boundaries, while a councilor claimed that the new specifications could make the cost hit BD350. Several councillors opposed mandatory requirements that would force citizens and residents to obtain permits for installing umbrellas, considering these an unnecessary financial burden. The Northern Municipal Council's Technical Committee discussed the proposal, and sent it back with some comments, but its head, councillor Jasem Hijres, expressed his rejection against it, asserting citizens are already burdened by salary deductions without needing further costs. Among the comments attached allowing one-time payments and exempting low-income citizens from settling the fees. 'Citizens are already embroiled with financial challenges, and imposing additional costs through this proposal would only add to their struggles,' Hijres stated. He stressed the importance of considering the current economic climate and the financial strain many families face. 'Our goal should be to support citizens, not to burden them further,' he added, urging fellow council members to carefully reconsider the proposal before any final decisions are made. Meanwhile, councillor Abdulla Ashoor claimed that the new specifications will hike up the umbrella prices to BD350. '99% of the citizens use umbrellas made of iron,' stated Ashour, explaining: 'These specifications could make a single umbrella cost over 350 Bahraini dinars.' Councillor Abdullah Al Qubaisi agreed with Ashoor, adding that some conditions included with the proposal were 'impractical,'. Standards 'We need to ensure proper standards and safety for the installation of the outdoor umbrellas. However, it's essential that any measures implemented do not place an additional financial burden on citizens. We need to find a balanced approach that prioritises community needs without compromising affordability,' he explained. Councillor Basem Abuidrees insisted on abstaining from approving the proposal. 'We must support citizens and development but I find this proposal unclear. I recommend returning it for further study,'Abuidrees stressed. The Northern Municipal Council's Deputy Chair Zainah Jassim affirmed the councils' role is developing legislation, stating the technical committee shouldn't outright reject the proposal without providing its inputs.
