One hundred homes that were renovated under the Housing Rehabilitation Programme were yesterday handed back to their owners during a ceremony patronised by Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Chairman of the Royal Charity Organisation (RCO).
In a statement issued following the ceremony, Shaikh Nasser thanked His Majesty King Hamad for establishing the Rehabilitation Programme in an effort to help lower-income citizens improve their standard of living.
Shaikh Nasser also hailed the efforts of the Ministry of Municipalities and Agricultural Affairs, as well as the Municipal Councils, to support the programme and help citizens get better housing.
Speaking on the sidelines of yesterday's ceremony, a Municipal Council official who wished to remain anonymous praised the distribution of the 100 housing units, however stated that some of the home owners are frustrated as the work on their houses is not yet complete.
The 100 houses distributed yesterday are the first to be completed since the Ministry of Municipalities took over the project from the Housing Ministry.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Dr. Juma Ahmed Al Kaabi explained that the houses were renovated at a cost of BD4 million.
Al Kaabi stressed the importance of the Housing Rehabilitation Programme and affirmed that the ministry is keen to harness all its capabilities and resources to ensure the success of this national project.
Dr. Mustafa Al Sayed, Chairman of RCO's Board of Trustees, added that the distribution of the 100 houses reflects Shaikh Nasser's efforts to make the programme a success.
The distribution ceremony was attended by members of the RCO, governors, heads and members of the five municipal councils, as well as senior officials from the ministry.
Speaking to the Tribune on the sidelines of the ceremony, Chairman of the Southern Municipal Council Ali bin Khaleel Al Mohannadi stated that 52 more houses are expected to be completed in the Southern Governorate in the next four months.
In addition to this, 30 more houses are to be renovated in the Central Governorate, Central Municipal Council member Adel Setri revealed, adding that there are 800 houses in the area that need to be included under the programme.
Chairman of the Manama Municipal Council Majeed Millad Al Jazeeri also added that 37 houses from the Manama area will be included in the next batch of houses that are to be distributed in September.
Acting Director of the Directorate of urban Development, Ali Salman, revealed that there is a discrepancy in the number of houses completed in the different governorates, with just 15 houses being distributed in Muharraq and 14 in Manama. The official explained that the contractor faced certain challenges in these areas and its was therefore more difficult for the projects to be completed on time.
He stated however that this discrepancy is narrowing as more houses are now being renovated in all areas across the Kingdom.
The official explained that there are currently 60 houses under construction in the Northern Governorate, 50 in the Central Governorate, 53 in the Southern Governorate, 43 in Muharraq and 45 in Manama
By Alexander M. Arrackal
© Bahrain Tribune 2010
