Infra boom

Manama : A total of 119 projects, worth BD280 million, have been put out to tender or awarded, revealed Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Minister Essam Khalaf.

The minister was addressing the regular weekly Cabinet session, chaired by Prime Minister HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, at the Gudaibiya Palace yesterday. 

Of these, 64 projects, worth BD18m, were put out to tender, while 55, worth BD52m, were awarded, the minister added. He also informed the session about the tenders awarded during the third quarter of 2016.

The PM instructed to expand the Crown Prince Avenue in Riffa from the Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Highway to the Riffa Roundabout by making it three lanes.

Prince Khalifa also directed to set up a new entrance to Buri village from the Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Highway, revamp some roads in Riffa, expand the Muharraq ring road extending from the Al-Hidd entrance to the Galali intersection, as well as pave dirt roads of Eker village.

Draft law to repeal Article 353 discussed

The session discussed a draft law on repealing Article 353 of the Penal Code, proposed by MPs. The law allows the rapist to escape punishment in case the victim agrees to marry him.

The bill was referred back to the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs for further study. 

Expat relocation to be studied

The government will conduct a study on setting up high quality labour camps to accommodate expat workers, especially bachelors, following directives issued by the Premier. This came as the problem of bachelor accommodation in residential neighbourhoods was discussed.

Prince Khalifa stressed that these facilities should meet all international health, security and safety standards. A ministerial panel  was tasked to examine the steps to remove expat labourers to alternative areas. Once they are relocated, these accommodations will be revamped into service and commercial facilities.

Investment forums lauded

The PM also lauded the Invest in Bahrain 2016 forum and the Turkey-GCC Business Forum. The PM called for hosting and organising more events that highlight the Kingdom’s investment opportunities, said a post session statement by Secretary General of the Cabinet Dr. Yasser bin Essa Al Naser.