NEW bids are set to be invited for a major revamp of a landmark market as the plan was put on hold after the contractor selected for the project significantly ramped up the cost.
The plan to upgrade the Isa Town Traditional Market was originally expected to cost BD490,000.
But the company that successfully bid for the work said it needed an additional BD150,000 after further assessment of the site.
Three months of negotiations between the company and government representatives have failed to result in an agreement.
“This is a vital project we wanted to work on months ago, but after the cost exceeded the allocated financing by around 24 per cent, we have decided to retender it,” Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry municipal affairs Under-Secretary Dr Nabeel Abu Al Fateh told the GDN.
“The Finance and National Economy Ministry has agreed to give us a new budget, but we need new contractors to apply through the Tender Board.
“The work we plan to retender should see the installation of new gates and doors, air-conditioning, repairs to the ceiling and better loading facilities.
“It’s a popular market that we have over the years done a lot for, to raise its appeal as a popular shopping destination.
“We are also studying other ideas to promote the market.”
The market was designated as a tourist destination in 2016, but delays in improving its condition have hindered efforts to promote it.
Costs of the upgrade will be sourced partly from traders who will have to pay higher rent than the current BD85 per month which municipal officials described as still being low.
The market houses 570 shops selling antiques, furniture, electronics and household items, besides traditional cafés offering Bahraini cuisine.
There are 1,200 registered shops in the market’s complex.
New vehicle entrances are on the way to cope with the large number of customers visiting the complex, which also houses two supermarkets, an electronics department store, furniture shops and a weekend flea market.
Southern Municipal Council chairman Bader Al Tamimi said the revamp was first announced three years ago, but stalled numerous times for technical and financial assessment.
“The re-tendering process could mean that work wouldn’t start until December at the earliest,” he added.
MP and former council chairman Ahmed Al Ansari described the current condition of the market as “embarrassing” and recommended closing it during the summer.
“It is such an attractive place if given attention, but now I believe it should only be open in winter – when the weather is fine – because the situation there is embarrassing,” he said.
Southern Municipality director general Assem Abdullatif said themed festivities would also be used to promote the market.
“We have ideas and dates for promotional activities at the market,” he said.
The current traditional market sprang up around 100 metres from its original location following a massive blaze in March 2014.
Hundreds of shop owners were affected and the market suffered extensive damage.
An earlier blaze in July 2012 similarly wreaked havoc at the suq.
The GDN revealed last year that the government was drawing up a plan to bulldoze the popular weekend flea market within the complex, with a view to expanding it and making it more appealing to tourists.
mohammed@gdn.com.bh
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