A CLAMPDOWN on prostitution, bootlegging and black market rackets in a bustling services district in the north-west of Bahrain has been urged.
Parliament public utilities and environment affairs committee vice-chairman Ahmed Al Demistani has demanded action against alleged crimes and violations in a part of Hamala housing shops, restaurants, cafés, garages and workshops, amongst other businesses.
He wants the ministries of Interior, Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Health, Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning, and the Labour Market Regulatory Authority to step up joint inspections and expose the underground rackets.
Mr Al Demistani, who is also the area MP, said he had received numerous complaints from residents in the area who appealed for urgent, direct action.
“The Hamala services district has a beautiful façade of nice cafés and restaurants that are generally decent, but thriving behind that front are crimes and violations that threaten the security of the country,” he said.
“Huge plots of land are being leased for a specific purpose but are then divided into smaller areas and rented out to multiple businesses or activities.
“This results in activities going on there which are not really what the Commercial Registrations or permits are given for.
“For example, one of the garages has been divided into areas which house a restaurant, a clothes warehouse, a laundry, a chemicals store and a butcher’s stop.”
Mr Al Demistani said the problems could be resolved through a strict implementation of the law which could help end the violations.
However, he said underground criminal activities were a bigger concern.
“Scrapyards, workshops and garages are turned into vice dens after working hours.
“I don’t have the power to enter any private property as I am not an inspector or a police officer, but from my sources who have gone there, it is clear that those offering the services there, mainly expat labourers, are just milking whatever cash from anyone wanting their on-demand services,” he said.
“The ministries and government authorities concerned need to step up and raid those places; things won’t get cleared overnight but a tough stand would scare them and tighten up their operations and activities.
“The clampdown needs to happen urgently.”
Area councillor Zaina Jassim said she was closely following the situation with the relevant authorities following complaints that illegal activities were mushrooming in Hamala.
“The procedures against illegal activities in Hamala are taking time or are not being tackled properly because it is not being done through joint task forces; everything is done individually by those concerned,” said Ms Jassim, who is also the Northern Municipal Council legislative, administrative and financial affairs committee chairwoman.
“We have suggested solutions that need to be done collectively to be effective; it is no good listening to complaints and not taking serious measures.
“The problem is not with the plot owners – it is mainly about multiple leases within the main contract that specifies a business and includes several others illegally.
“We hope things get resolved immediately, otherwise the situation will end in disaster.”
mohammed@gdn.com.bh
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