FINES of up to BD300 will be imposed for littering, improperly disposing of household rubbish and urinating or spitting in the street.
It comes as the Shura Council yesterday passed a new Cleanliness Law which stipulates fines between BD50 and BD300 for all types of littering.
It also includes fines of BD500 to BD1,000 for transporting rubbish or dangerous substances without a licence or proper equipment, and gives the Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry the right to tow vehicles that are abandoned, put up for sale or for scrap at unlicensed spaces.
Shura members yesterday approved all amendments presented by parliament after the government explained the new law was vital as offences were currently being tackled under municipal administrative rules with a flat municipal fine of BD10.
The law has moved back and forth between the two legislative chambers for the last four years due to differences but after yesterday’s final approval it will be referred to His Majesty King Hamad for ratification.
However, it will not be fully implemented until Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Minister Essam Khalaf draws up executive by-laws within six months of the law being published in the Official Gazette.
“The improper cleanliness habits, mainly from expatriates, are seen on a daily basis and need to be tackled seriously, especially by sponsors and employers, who should enforce cleanliness rules in work contracts,” said veteran legislator Abdulla Al Dossary.
“The despicable acts by expatriates of opening vehicle doors and spitting on the street or collecting cans, cartons and other garbage from bins and later on storing them in their accommodations attracts insects and rats besides other food wastes that they don’t throw out.
“These wrong acts make me want to vomit as they are imported from their home countries and they should learn better habits here.”
However, Parliament and Shura Council Affairs Minister Ghanim Al Buainain stressed that the law will tackle violations committed by any member of the public, including pouring large quantities of water onto the streets while washing cars.
“Several countries have signs at airports, land border entrances and ports on cleanliness violations, and here we will also do the same for people visiting when the new law is enforced,” he said.
“However, there are also wrong habits within our local communities such as cleaning cars on the road, spilling water and irresponsible littering, so now all offenders will be punished.”
Shura also dropped a controversial amendment to the law that would have fined individuals whose air conditioners drip water into the street, but said that the ministry could tackle the violation independently.
During debate on the law, human rights committee vice-chairman Darwish Al Mannai also pointed out other municipal violations such as a number of candidates who ran for last November’s national elections having yet to remove campaign billboards.
Meanwhile, Mr Khalaf was excused from attending yesterday’s debate on the law.
Shura Council chairman Ali Saleh Al Saleh said Mr Khalaf had a busy schedule as he attended to the chaos caused by Saturday’s heavy showers and thunderstorm.
“God be with Mr Khalaf, I can’t say more, about the burden of resolving problems caused by the heavy showers,” said Mr Al Saleh at the session.
“It is difficult times that requires more efforts so he is excused from attending, despite his feedback on the law being vital.”
mohammed@gdn.com.bh
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