Why do authorities not act on their own?
It came as no surprise that government authorities sprang into action to remove unauthorised street vendors from Manama, but I was surprised this action came after a visitor from a neighbouring country published a video on social media, highlighting how these people had virtually laid siege to several neighbourhoods in the capital.
Why should our neighbours remind us of what we have to do even though, as I am aware, this issue had been raised in Parliament as well as by some social activists and civil society institutions.
Some years ago, municipal authorities had taken action after an expatriate resident posted a video of the litter and garbage in Hunainiya Valley that he saw while cycling in the area. In this case, too, why did the cleanliness drive not happen earlier?
I had written about this then and asked the same question. I wonder why authorities do not follow a system to act in such situations and ensure this does not happen.
The funny thing is that the Capital Municipality said the action was taken based on Clause (10) of the Hygiene Law of 2019 and Public Health Law (34) of 2018!
The law is clear and explicit, so what more were they waiting for?
Our problem lies in the work system and not in the laws. The hygiene law, for example, took a long time in the corridors of Parliament and the Shura Council and the government made a lot of efforts before it was promulgated.
If this is the way we work, what can I say?
May God help us.