Southern Governorate Council Approves Budget for Housing Redevelopment
The Southern Governorate Municipal Council has unanimously agreed to allocate a budget for purchasing old and dilapidated homes in the Southern Governorate. This initiative aims to demolish and rebuild these properties according to modern construction standards, integrating them into the government’s social housing program known as “Mazaya.” The proposal was put forth by Council member Abdullah Saleh Daraj.
Details of the Proposal
The decision was made during the fifth regular meeting of the fifth session of the sixth municipal council, held yesterday under the leadership of Council Chairman Abdullah Ibrahim Abdul-Latif. The meeting was attended by the General Director of the Southern Governorate Municipalities, Engineer Issa Abdulrahman Al-Buainain, along with several representatives from the Ministry of Municipalities and Agriculture and other council members.
According to a study prepared by the Council’s Services and Public Utilities Committee, the proposal focuses on acquiring older houses at fair prices for both property owners and the concerned authorities. The plan includes demolishing these homes and reconstructing them with updated requirements and construction standards, which will subsequently be offered under the “Mazaya” social housing program.
Benefits of Redeveloping Dilapidated Homes
The study highlighted multiple advantages of this proposal, such as generating financial returns for the Housing Ministry and the Housing Bank. Additionally, addressing the situation of dilapidated houses, which pose a risk to the safety of their occupants and neighbors, is an essential benefit of this initiative. This is particularly urgent as many of these properties have deteriorated significantly.
Member Abdullah Daraj emphasized that executing this proposal would contribute to creating additional housing units for residents of the Southern Governorate. It would also mitigate the issue of land shortages designated for housing projects by utilizing the locations of these old homes for redevelopment, thereby supporting urban expansion and enhancing existing residential areas with new housing units.
Tackling Abandoned Properties and Safety Hazards
The rationale behind the proposal also includes addressing the problems caused by abandoned homes, which can create security and environmental risks. These properties may be exploited for illegal activities or become breeding grounds for pests such as rodents, insects, and stray dogs, resulting in disturbances and safety hazards for surrounding residents.
Moreover, redeveloping these homes will limit their use for unlicensed commercial activities and improve the overall aesthetic and urban landscape of residential neighborhoods in the governorate.
Further Discussions and Related Developments
During the meeting, the council reviewed responses from relevant authorities regarding the recommendations that had been submitted. A visual presentation was also shared by the Director of General Cleanliness at the Ministry of Municipalities and Agriculture, focusing on amendments to the Public Cleanliness Law. This included a comparative study of legislations implemented in Gulf Cooperation Council countries regarding waste separation, recycling, and the legal framework governing waste management in the Kingdom of Bahrain based on Law No. (10) of 2019.
The presentation outlined significant Gulf experiences and laws and concluded with a range of legislative recommendations aimed at enhancing the waste management system and improving public cleanliness levels in the Kingdom.
Next Steps and Future Considerations
The council has also discussed a request for insight regarding the budget for street lighting and related maintenance and development plans. This inquiry was led by Representative of the Fourth District Mohammed Hussein Daraj and was presented in conjunction with various street lighting requests across the Southern Governorate.
In contrast, the council was unable to discuss the procedures and plans of the Ministry of Public Works in preparation for the upcoming rainy season due to the absence of ministry representatives at the meeting. It is expected that this issue will be addressed in future sessions.
In conclusion, as the Southern Governorate Council moves forward with the budget allocation for purchasing and redeveloping dilapidated homes, the community eagerly anticipates the improvements this project may bring to housing conditions and safety standards. Residents should stay tuned for updates on the implementation of this initiative and its wider implications for housing and urban development in their area.