Lawmaker raps municipalities for ‘wasting public money’

Public money is being wasted by municipalities by planting ‘ornamental trees’ and plants meant to decorate the streets, according to lawmaker.     Negligence and lack of care are leading many palm trees and other plantation to die, said MP Mohammed Buhamoud. He said that while the municipalities plant such trees for the purpose of decoration, many trees and greeneries are dying after being not given adequate care.

“The planting of trees and other related green projects cost a lot of public money,” he said, pointing out that many of the trees planted have died because of not being taken care of properly. “As a result of negligence, many of the plants died and had to be replaced. This is a waste of public money,” he said.  

“The plantation needs to be constantly taken care of, if not it will die and will need to be replaced. “This creates a constant cycle of having to replace plants and end up costing a lot of money,” the MP said.  Mr Bouhamoud added that he would submit a question to the concerned minister regarding the issue. “A question will be submitted to the Minister of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning to find out the total amount that has been spent for the ornamental plantation,” he said.

He urged all municipalities to be vigilant in taking care of the plants so as not to waste public money. Tribune previously reported that authorities in the Southern Governorate had taken measures to improve the greenery with plans to plant 200 palm saplings. The drive was carried out at Almueaskar Avenue, Zallak Avenue and Shaikh Salman Avenue. A source from the municipality said that some of the palm saplings are being planted to replace tr ees that have been infected with certain diseases.

“The department of parks and gardens always monitors the situation, sees what trees need to be removed and where new ones need to be planted.” Palm trees are particularly vulnerable to damage caused by a kind of beetle known as Red Palm Weevil that eats away the tree causing irreversible damage.

The infested trees quickly deteriorate as the beetles multiply. Researchers in Bahrain have been taking various measures, including using the satellite imagery to spot such trees. Palm trees are often also used to beautify the streets with festive lights. Last August, the Manama municipality also announced a similar green drive.