*** ----> Waste chaos hits town | THE DAILY TRIBUNE | KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN

Waste chaos hits town

ManamaWaste collection and disposal has become a chaotic affair after the new cleaning company took charge in Southern and Northern Governorates last Tuesday.

It is alleged that the previous cleaning company has “contrived the waste crisis.”

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Waste bins were strangely placed upside down in different areas since Friday, forcing many people to dispose of their garbage near them and not inside them.

Additionally, there were no garbage trucks available to remove the rubbish for days in many areas in the Southern and Northern Governorates.

This has caused trash to pile up in residential neighbourhoods and emanate foul smell.  Some residents took the effort to rent private trucks to remove the accumulated trash.

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Even municipal councillors were helplessly trying to solve the situation, which occurred without any notice and during the last 10 days of Ramadan.

According to reports, the previous cleaning company, Sphinx, which was in charge of cleaning both governorates, has deliberately caused this situation to “embarrass” the new Spanish company, Urbaser.

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Repeated complaints from citizens and councillors pushed Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Minister Essam Khalaf to pay field visits to the affected areas on Sunday, the Ministry stated.

The Ministry also stated that the minister had directed to promptly collect the garbage by doubling efforts and using extra equipment.

“The new company needs some time before it becomes able to address the challenges,” the Minister said and assured that the garbage would be moved regularly.