Getting caught short in Bahrain could prove to be a more costly experience as plans have been unveiled to introduce coin and ticket-operated toilets across the kingdom.
It comes as many public conveniences in markets, suqs, parks and car parks have been subject to a wave of vandalism and looting.
There is also concern over the on-going cost of keeping existing facilities clean and in tip-top running order.
“The government can’t go on cleaning and fixing public toilets, even those in suqs, markets and parking lots. Many have been left destroyed or in a filthy state. Repairs, as well as cleaners and detergents, are expensive,” said Parliament public utilities and environment affairs committee chairman Mohammed Buhamood.
The former municipal council chairman also added that many toilets were continuously left in a disgusting state as a result of ‘unhygienic practices’ and limited funds meant it was becoming increasingly difficult to maintain them.
Mr Buhamood made it clear that it wasn’t a case of the government trying to coin it in, but paying a tiny toll could ensure a higher lifespan for the facilities.
Previous attempts to force people to ‘spend a penny’, or rather 200 fils, have not been successful.
A pay-as-you-go public toilet at the Old Manama Suq is now out of service and closed resulting in people taking the liberty of using the surroundings in an emergency.
The Capital Trustees Authority has since cleaned up the area around the building but it has been badly damaged and out of operation for more than a year.
Plans were also underway to have coin-operated toilets in the Manama Central Market, but no investor came forward flush enough to see it as a business opportunity.
Angry protests by traders in front of the Southern Municipality’s offices followed the introduction of a 100 fils fee for the use of toilet facilities at Isa Town Traditional Market three years ago.
The move was cancelled but has since been reintroduced without controversy although the machines are not operational and an attendant collects the coins.
“When The Avenues Bahrain introduced 100 fils for using the toilet, many said it would put people off, but on the contrary business was not affected and remained the same until Covid-19 surfaced,” Mr Buhamood added.
And, shower and water taps looted from public rest rooms later showed up at campsites in Sakhir.
It followed a spate of thefts at public coasts and parks in the Northern Governorate.
Capital Trustees Board chairman Saleh Tarradah said it was only a matter of time before more public pay toilets were introduced, with discussions on whether the private sector or the municipalities should be responsible for their cleanliness, repairs and maintenance, or a combination of both.
mohammed@gdn.com.bh
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