TRUCKLOADS of construction waste have been dumped on the coastline within 24 hours of tonnes of debris being cleared from exactly the same spot.
Despairing residents and officials in the Northern Governorate have called for an immediate investigation and for the perpetrators to be hunted down, fined and imprisoned.
Cinder blocks, leftover cement and other construction materials were dumped near Barbar.
It is believed that contractors working on a housing project in the area are responsible, according to area councilor Dr Sayed Shubbar Al Wedaei. He believes they are making a direct challenge to the authorities and showing an open disregard to laws and regulations put in place to prevent such environmental sacrilege.
“A field visit was conducted earlier this month with representatives from the Northern Municipality and the Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry and other government authorities to the site,” he told the GDN.
“We took pictures and official action was taken by the Northern Municipality, with costs borne by the authority, which cleared the debris by deploying trucks to the scene in collaboration with Urbaser.
“Around 13 truckloads of construction debris were removed from the location and taken to the landfill for proper disposal … yet within 24 hours the arrogant contractors dumped more waste.
“This is a direct challenge to the authorities in Bahrain and a total disregard to the regulations put in place, in addition to a flagrant infringement of environmental protection laws.”
Dr Al Wedaei – who is also an environmental expert – believes that official warnings must be given to contractors with strict action taken against them for repeat offence.
He accepts that controlling repetitive violations requires a joint effort across all institutional and societal parties. “There is a continuous encroachment on the coastal environment with hidden agendas in place that openly defy the positive initiatives aimed at maintaining public cleanliness of the Barbar coast,” he added.
“The location has a beautiful aesthetic and an environmental value which can be utilised for cultural, social and environmental tourism.
“These contractors dumped remains of concrete and cement one day after the rubble was removed which is a challenge to authorities, a clear violation of the law and a show of contempt to the families who live here.
“I urge all concerned authorities to launch an investigation into these clear violations impacting the coastal environment in Barbar.”
He called on the Northern Municipality’s departments of Control and Inspection as well as Cleanliness in addition to the Supreme Council for Environment (SCE), the Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry’s Agriculture and Marine Resources and Urban Planning Directorates to launch an investigation into the incident.
He added that strict action must be taken against repetitive violators who don’t adhere to regulations in place and ignore official warnings.
It may be time to name and shame those responsible and set an example of decisive court action so others know what to expect if they break the law.
“One hand can’t clap and we must come together as a community and officials to eradicate these infractions and violations,” he added.
“Some of the contractors responsible for construction projects adjacent to the coast are, in my opinion, responsible for these violations and more inspections must be carried out to monitor and eliminate improper behaviour.
“People must adhere to laws in place.”
reem@gdn.com.bh
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