MPs approve urgent task force to tackle aging buildings at risk of collapse

TDT | Manama

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An urgent push to tackle Bahrain’s crumbling buildings cleared Parliament yesterday, as MPs move to track unsafe homes and hold owners to account before disaster strikes.

The plan comes amid growing concern over ageing properties, especially in older neighbourhoods, where homes are on the brink of collapse.

Danger

MPs argue that neglected buildings pose a clear danger to residents and road users, with structures left to rot despite obvious risks.

They have called for a multi-agency task force to step in, bringing together officials from the Ministry of Housing, the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and the Ministry of Interior, along with civil society representatives and certified engineers.

The proposal, backed by Khalid Buanaq, Zainab AbdulAmeer, Hisham Al Awadhi, Mohammed Al Ma’arafi and Waleed Al Doseri, would see the task force set firm standards to assess buildings at risk, weighing up factors like age, condition and the threat to public safety.

Accidents

"This goes beyond preventing accidents," the MPs noted in their briefing. "Tracking these buildings will not only reduce risks but also make people more aware of the need to preserve historic homes and improve the neighbourhoods around them."

Property owners would be put on notice, with fixed deadlines to sort out dangerous structures — whether through repairs, rebuilding or demolition.

They would be expected to foot the bill for making their buildings safe, with penalties for those who drag their heels.