ONLY 84 locations have been designated across all the four governorates to place large 4 metres x 6 metres hoardings on the road side.
The new regulation, which means that only one non-commercial hoarding will be allowed per location, was revealed during a special meeting between the Northern Municipal Council and the Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry officials yesterday.
Northern Municipality acting director general Ebrahim Al Jowder had previously told councillors that a tender was issued to one company to handle the banners as part of efforts to regulate the practice.
“Commercial and non-commercial hoardings are a threat to the public and traffic safety when they are placed without a licence,” said the ministry’s advertising committee vice-chairman Shaikha Mariam bint Mohammed Al Khalifa during yesterday’s meeting.
“These big banners were removed around seven months ago and we haven’t had a complaint since.
“A special committee reviews applications for advertising sites and their suitability to display advertising without risks.
“Each municipality has identified specific sites for the 4mx6m hoardings and the tender was awarded to the Golden City Company for three years.”
Shaikha Mariam added that the company was responsible for installing the hoardings at agreed sites, with new models created that are more beautiful and civilised.
She also stated that non-commercial banners can be placed on lighting poles free of charge – as the advertiser only pays for the insurance – according to the requirements set.
“Bahrain is the only country that still uses these banners and this tender has been in the works since 2018,” added Shaikha Mariam.
Infrastructure
“We are aware that infrastructure and other changes were implemented through the years so the selected locations have also been amended according to the new requirements.
“These banners weren’t removed for no reason – they were dangerous – but through removing them we have streamlined the mechanism, cleaned up the roads and now we are allowing them back but in specific locations under strict conditions.”
Council technical committee chairman Abdullah Al Qubaisi reassured members that election banners are an exception to these requirements and can be placed in abundance closer to the date.
Meanwhile, ministry’s technical services licensing department head Hussain Bahzad told councillors that any advertisement placed in violation of the regulatory conditions will be deemed illegal.
“It is prohibited for an advertisement to contain a QR code, 50 per cent of the language must be in Arabic and must not contain any violating content,” he said during the meeting
“The municipality has the authority to take action against violations with violators shouldering the cost.
“Election banners have different requirements which have been approved by the Supreme Elections Committee and the candidate can contract any company without restriction.
“Advertising sites for the election period are open.”
Meanwhile, councillors expressed the concern of charity societies and others which depend on these hoardings for commercial purposes.
Councillor Mohammed Al Dossari stated that compensation must be offered to those who have placed banners prior to the implementation of this while council’s public relations and information committee chairman Hussain Al A’ali stressed the importance of reviewing the contract – despite it being signed and implemented.
An official letter will be sent by the council to Mr Bahzad for a copy of the contract along with a full disclosure of locations and prices.
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