CONSTRUCTION debris and lack of municipal services, a place of worship or a connection to the national sewage network have prompted residents of Block 262 in Muharraq to make an urgent plea for help through their municipal council.
Residential neighbourhoods within the block also lack a separate entrance forcing inhabitants to travel long distances into a private establishment – Diyar Al Muharraq – to make a U-turn to reach their homes.
The plight of hundreds of area residents was highlighted by councillor Fadhel Al Oud who said ‘Block 262 lacks basic services and its residents are suffering’.
“They have been suffering for around three years and their requests are simple,” he said.
“The block lacks the simplest basic services such as asphalt roads and an entry point so that they can live a normal life.
“Currently, they have to drive long distances to make a U-turn to reach their homes which is very inconvenient.
“Unfortunately, some of the residents now enter the block and don’t leave until the following day because of the hassle.”
Mr Al Oud pointed out that a request was previously made to the Works Ministry to look into solutions – such as temporary asphalting – but to no avail.
Area residents submitted a written request highlighting the lack of proper infrastructure in Block 262, lighting, official entrance, a mosque as well as a connection to the national sewage network.
“Our block doesn’t have an entrance and we have to drive all the way to the ‘sales office traffic signal’ in Diyar Al Muharraq and recirculate to our homes,” said a letter submitted by area residents to the council.
“The economic, health and technical damages of placing septic tanks under homes and buildings are high and we have had cases when sewage would flow into our homes when the tanks are full.
“The company contracted to pump septic tanks ignores our calls and we have tanks overflowing into homes and roads which is disastrous. Bear in mind that there are T-type drainage pipes ready at the Hidd Station and all it requires is connecting the homes.”
In the letter the residents said that they had paid infrastructure fees to the concerned authorities but no proper infrastructure was constructed, with roads remaining unpaved.
They also complained of stray dogs in the neighbourhood as well as a spread of rodents due to improper disposal of food and construction waste.
“We have no lighting or mosque and there is an abundance of construction waste along with no proper infrastructure and an absence of services such as roads, gardens and parking,” said the letter.
“We have submitted multiple suggestions to the government to help fix our situation but they have all been rejected.
“We regret to inform you that we live in a place that is not suitable for housing or investment, unfortunately.”
The Muharraq Municipal Council approved reviewing the requests and referring them to concerned authorities for a solution.
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