A CALL has gone out for a crackdown on men spitting and urinating in the streets of Manama and, in particular, the bustling areas around nightspots and neighbouring residential areas.
Parliament foreign affairs, defence and national security committee chairman Hassan Bukhammas is seeking action against the public nuisance, witnessed and regularly complained about by sickened residents during the weekends and late at night.
He also urges the government to install signs across Juffair warning offenders about the likely punishments they will face for their disgusting behaviour.
It follows repeated complaints about the vulgar and despicable displays caused by often ‘out-of-control drunken yobs’.
Numerous complaints have been received by Mr Bukhammas, who is also the area MP for Juffair, Umm Al Hassam, Adliya and Mina Salman.
“People, locals and expats, are seeking stringent measures against those who urinate or spit in the street,” said Mr Bukhammas.
“Yes, Juffair is a bustling area known for its nightlife, but it doesn’t mean that it is acceptable to commit such indecent and despicable acts,” he added.
“We are a civilised country in which everyone has to act sensibly or face the consequences.”
Under the 2019 Public Cleanliness Law such improper behaviour is met with fines of between BD50 and BD300.
“This is a clear duty for municipal inspectors to take action,” said Mr Bukhammas. “Offenders must be slapped with heavy fines and action needs to be witnessed on a regular basis for the message to be driven home that we will not stand for this behaviour,” he added.
“Warning signs and notices about the fines should also be erected, similar to those in the Old Manama Suq area, without delay.”
Capital Trustees Board chairman Saleh Tarradah last year urged the authorities for tougher implementation of the 2019 Law after a video was circulated online showing a man urinating in an alleyway in Manama.
Furious people took to social media at the time to condemn the ‘uncivilised, dirty and disgusting’ behaviour highlighted in the post.
Mr Tarradah said the issue was not about collecting fines but more about finding a solution to the problem.
“Bahrain’s laws are comprehensive with the threat of severe action against offenders, but it is a matter of being caught red-handed,” he said.
“Spitting and urinating in public is happening because offenders think they can get away with it.
“The deterrent has to be the sudden appearance of inspectors taking on-the-spot action as a violation happens.”
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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