A PUBLIC park in a southern coastal village could be turned into a central market following vandalism, sabotage and looting, it has emerged.
The Southern Municipal Council has approved a proposal to turn the Zallaq Public Park into a central market to sell fish, meat, and fruits and vegetables.
It followed a presentation by area councillor Talal Al Basheer who said the park was a source of nuisance to residents in the area and fishermen at the nearby jetty.
“There are large crowds of people using the park who make noise, create chaos, and vandalise and sabotage facilities,” he said.
“Some of those visiting the park have even looted or damaged fishermen’s equipment from the nearby jetty.
“Residents have also several times complained that the place is not a proper public park, it is more of a gathering area for groups of youths; certain families have made it their own.
“We are a tight community in Zallaq and together we see the park to be unnecessary and should be replaced with a central market that meets our needs since the nearest shopping area for us is as far away as Hamad Town or Riffa.”
Mr Al Basheer said several investors have shown interest in converting the park into a market.
Council chairman Bader Al Tamimi said the Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry shouldn’t have a problem with the residents’ request.
“It is a municipal property; we will be just changing from one municipal service to another,” he said.
“This happened with a public park in Muharraq which was first used as a temporary site for the Muharraq Central Market and is now the permanent site with the previous central market premises being used by LuLu Hypermarket.
“With investors showing willingness to take up the market project, things could start within a year.”
The GDN reported last year that MPs were studying privatising public parks based on a perceived lack of government funding and oversight of facilities, which are often targeted by vandals.
The Southern Municipal Council imposed entrance fees at major parks and gardens in its governorate in 2018, in an effort to deter vandals.
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.
That decision was taken by the Muharraq Municipal Council, which claimed parks had been unattended for years due to government spending cuts.
It said the vandalism had continued despite fees being imposed on using public toilets in parks.
Bahrain’s private sector is already playing a role in the development of public facilities, with some companies funding construction of 100 sports grounds across the country as part of an initiative announced in June last year.
mohammed@gdn.com.bh
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