Bahrain's public parks, gardens and walkways could be privatised and offered to investors under a new proposal.
It’s being spearheaded by Southern Municipal Council chairman Bader Al Tamimi, who believes that municipal facilities are draining vital government funds without bringing any actual revenue.
It is also based on a perceived lack of government funding and oversight of facilities, which are often targeted by vandals.
Mr Al Tamimi is suggesting that the over 100 facilities be handed over to Edamah, the government’s real-estate arm, to manage on behalf of the Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry.
“The government is spending around BD200,000 on carrying out maintenance work on Khalifa Bin Salman Park in Hidd and BD150,000 on Khalifa Bin Salman Grand Park in Riffa,” Mr Al Tamimi told the GDN.
“That maintenance money alone for each park could have seen five to six new smaller parks or walkways built.”
Mr Al Tamimi said parks, walkways and gardens should be handed over to investors who can launch café, football pitches and other facilities to make them more attractive.
“All property departments within the ministry, or municipalities under its umbrella, are not knowledgeable enough in proper investment practices. Also, there is an existing authority that can handle that in Edamah – profits could be shared under maximised practices.”
The GDN reported in January that around BD7 million had been invested so far in developing Bilaj Al Jazayer, a soft sand public beach and safe sea swimming paradise on the south-western coast of Bahrain.
“Al Jazayer is an example of a municipal property that has been turned into a proper investment by Edamah and I see much more profits and potential under them, than in the current situation of direct ministry management,” explained Mr Al Tamimi.
“Proper investment would see them become great family destinations.
“At the moment, most municipal facilities are deserted because they lack attractive entertainment, leisure and sport facilities.
“Putting exercise equipment in some of the parks is a nice thought, but not when outdoor activities in Bahrain are unattractive for 10 months of the year – if not more.”
The Southern Municipal Council imposed entrance fees at major parks and gardens in its governorate in 2018, in an effort to deter vandals.
Vandalism
However, in May of the same year, the Northern Municipal Council decided not to follow suit – with its members saying parks are so rundown they are not worth paying for admission.
Meanwhile, facilities at public parks in Muharraq were sealed in January last year following complaints of vandalism, looting and anti-social activities.
As a result toilets, store rooms, rest rooms and prayer areas were shuttered to prevent further destruction.
The decision was taken by the Muharraq Municipal Council, which claimed parks had been unattended for years due to government spending cuts.
It said vandalism had continued despite fees being imposed on using public toilets in parks.
MP Mohammed Buhamood, a former municipal council chairman, said the public would be happy to pay for using recreation facilities, but only if they were properly managed.
“If an investor puts places to proper use with innovative concepts that satisfy people, neither they nor I would mind paying 500 fils for entry – in addition to the cost of services on offer,” he said.
mohammed@gdn.com.bh
© Copyright 2020 www.gdnonline.com
(Image: gdnimages/20200824\20200824010323web(67).jpg)
BAHRAIN’S public parks, gardens and walkways could be privatised and offered to investors under a new proposal.
It’s being spearheaded by Southern Municipal Council chairman Bader Al Tamimi, who believes that municipal facilities are draining vital government funds without bringing any actual revenue.
It is also based on a perceived lack of government funding and oversight of facilities, which are often targeted by vandals.
Mr Al Tamimi is suggesting that the over 100 facilities be handed over to Edamah, the government’s real-estate arm, to manage on behalf of the Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry.
“The government is spending around BD200,000 on carrying out maintenance work on Khalifa Bin Salman Park in Hidd and BD150,000 on Khalifa Bin Salman Grand Park in Riffa,” Mr Al Tamimi told the GDN.
“That maintenance money alone for each park could have seen five to six new smaller parks or walkways built.”
Mr Al Tamimi said parks, walkways and gardens should be handed over to investors who can launch café, football pitches and other facilities to make them more attractive.
“All property departments within the ministry, or municipalities under its umbrella, are not knowledgeable enough in proper investment practices. Also, there is an existing authority that can handle that in Edamah – profits could be shared under maximised practices.”
The GDN reported in January that around BD7 million had been invested so far in developing Bilaj Al Jazayer, a soft sand public beach and safe sea swimming paradise on the south-western coast of Bahrain.
“Al Jazayer is an example of a municipal property that has been turned into a proper investment by Edamah and I see much more profits and potential under them, than in the current situation of direct ministry management,” explained Mr Al Tamimi.
“Proper investment would see them become great family destinations.
“At the moment, most municipal facilities are deserted because they lack attractive entertainment, leisure and sport facilities.
“Putting exercise equipment in some of the parks is a nice thought, but not when outdoor activities in Bahrain are unattractive for 10 months of the year – if not more.”
The Southern Municipal Council imposed entrance fees at major parks and gardens in its governorate in 2018, in an effort to deter vandals.
Vandalism
However, in May of the same year, the Northern Municipal Council decided not to follow suit – with its members saying parks are so rundown they are not worth paying for admission.
Meanwhile, facilities at public parks in Muharraq were sealed in January last year following complaints of vandalism, looting and anti-social activities.
As a result toilets, store rooms, rest rooms and prayer areas were shuttered to prevent further destruction.
The decision was taken by the Muharraq Municipal Council, which claimed parks had been unattended for years due to government spending cuts.
It said vandalism had continued despite fees being imposed on using public toilets in parks.
MP Mohammed Buhamood, a former municipal council chairman, said the public would be happy to pay for using recreation facilities, but only if they were properly managed.
“If an investor puts places to proper use with innovative concepts that satisfy people, neither they nor I would mind paying 500 fils for entry – in addition to the cost of services on offer,” he said.
mohammed@gdn.com.bh
© Copyright 2020 www.gdnonline.com
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