New building sought for NPRA

Manama : The General Directorate of Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs (NPRA) Building, located near Exhibitions Avenue in the Capital may be soon moved to a new location if the Government agrees to a request submitted by MPs.

According to the Parliamentarians, the proposal aims to “overcome the growing traffic congestions and lack of parking places near the existing building”.

“As the office is surrounded by residential and commercial buildings, it’s difficult for the public to access it. The parking spaces are also limited in the area. A new comprehensive building should be allocated at a
different site to facilitate easy access,” the MPs told in an explanatory message to the Council’s Foreign Affairs,
Defence and National Security Committee.

Headed by Abdulla Binhowail, the committee passed the proposal to relocate the 30-year-old building to a more convenient site, after discussing the matter with the related authorities including Interior Ministry.

Initially submitted in April, 2015, by a group of MPs, the proposal aims to “relocate the building to a site more suitable and convenient”.

A report on the proposal has been prepared by the committee and will be voted on by the 40-member council this Tuesday.