Parks in peril : Southern Municipal Council debates delays in maintenance and landscaping

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com

Email: editor@newsofbahrain.com

The Southern Municipal Council discussed in its weekly session the reasons behind the delay in implementing maintenance requests for parks, tree trimming, and general cleanliness in the Southern Governorate. Council President Abdulla Abdullatif highlighted the deteriorating condition of the Al Estiqlal Park due to a lack of proper maintenance and follow-up.

He pointed out that trees near the Park’s health facilities have encroached on the mosque’s restrooms, causing blockages and inconveniencing users, including the elderly. Meanwhile, council member Ali Al Shaikh urged the council to allocate an emergency fund in the budget to address urgent issues such as fallen trees and trimming.

He emphasised that while street trees are being addressed, those in parks are neglected.

Development

Council member Hamad Al Zaabi highlighted the urgent need for development in several parks in the Ninth Constituency of the Southern Governorate, particularly the Safra Park, the largest park with an area of 13,800 square meters, which lacks any play equipment.

He stressed the importance of improving the appearance of the Zallaq Highway by removing damaged trees, trimming existing ones, and providing lighting, especially considering the high traffic of residents, visitors, and tourists.

State of disrepair

Moreover, Hassan Al Dosari noted that the Tenth Constituency of the Southern Governorate has 12 parks that have remained in a state of disrepair since 2018, lacking lighting and other essential amenities. Council member Ahmed Al Abdulla stated that five parks in the Sixth Constituency of the Southern Governorate lack lighting and that the district is facing challenges related to waste containers, cleanliness, and park maintenance.

The Southern Municipal Council also reviewed responses from ministers, officials, and relevant authorities regarding the council’s recommendations and proposals.

The Ministry of Education and Training confirmed that the student population residing in the residential Blocks 718-720 in Zayed City does not meet the criteria for establishing a new school for any educational stage. Students from these blocks attend schools in nearby areas, and the ministry coordinates annually with relevant authorities to provide transportation services for students according to regulations and established standards.

The ministry also ensures these schools are equipped with all necessary material and human resources in coordination with relevant entities. The ministry indicated that it takes into account the increasing number of students in schools serving the Zayed City area in its future plans for construction projects, aiming to achieve a balance in student densities in these schools.