Restoration plans for the Old Manama Suq are on hold indefinitely as a report is awaited on the massive blaze last Wednesday in which three people died and nine others were injured.
The cause of the blaze in which nearly 150 shops were damaged and the extent of the damages are yet to be ascertained.
Capital Trustees Board chairman Saleh Tarradah said yesterday that it was too early to determine the cause of the fire, compensations to affected people or suitable revamp plans without extensive investigations being completed.
Mr Tarradah denied claims that the board was fully responsible for the suq, pointing out that under law their duties were to monitor and supervise public services provided by ministries and government bodies.
He made the comments as he visited the suq yesterday to assess the situation.
“The fire changed the whole concept of what was planned for the suq,” said Mr Tarradah.
“The suq is operational but the destroyed part is still cordoned off,” he added.
“It will take time to determine the cause of the fire and who was behind it or if it was accidental.
“Then, deciding the actual cost of damage and deciding on compensations and from where will come later.
“This brings us to restoration plans and if they will start with the affected part or continue as planned, which means that for now the plans are on hold indefinitely.”
The GDN reported exclusively on June 9 that a much-awaited revamp of Old Manama Suq promising to blend heritage with modernity is set to start next year.
Recommendations and observations made by numerous parties concerned over ideas presented by a local consultant hired last year will be debated at the Old Manama Suq Development Committee meeting next month.
Mr Tarradah, who is also a member of the committee, pointed out that the proposed revamp would be divided into three phases: the Bab Al Bahrain area, the Fish Roundabout area and the downtown Manama area.
“Next month will be decisive as each ministry and government body will give us its recommended approach for the market’s future,” said Mr Tarradah.
“Hopefully, knowing beforehand the extent of the damage caused by the fire will certainly be instrumental in the direction we take,” he added.
Whenever the proposed revamp is agreed on between all parties, it would be referred to the Cabinet to schedule and Parliament to allocate financing in the 2025-2026 national state budget, he explained.
The GDN earlier reported that eight bids had been submitted to the Tender Board for the design and supervision of the marketplace. Seven bids with costs of up to BD277,080 were accepted and one suspended, with Ansari Engineering Services selected with an estimate budget of BD70,090.
Meanwhile, Old Manama Suq Committee vice-president Mahmood Al Namleti, who also toured the affected part of the suq, said the market will gradually open as electricity gets fully reconnected.
“Not all the affected area has been opened following the fire with 80 shops being gutted, 70 being damaged by the fire and around 250 others being closed down as a precautionary measure,” he said.
He earlier called for the installation of fire warning systems all along the old market, and smoke detectors inside shops, which must be routinely inspected and maintained.
He added that authorities must ensure that there are fire extinguishers and water reservoirs distributed all throughout the market, and that water sprinklers undergo regular maintenance.
He also felt that people working in and around the suq must be educated on the importance of fire prevention, and be taught to store flammable materials safely, and avoid leaving electric wires exposed to the elements.
He suggested carrying out an awareness campaign and distributing leaflets with instructions on how to prevent fires, printed in various languages.
Eyewitnesses said last Wednesday’s fire was sparked by a short-circuit. It reportedly started at around 4pm in a multi-storey building on Road 432, Block 304 on Shaikh Abdulla Avenue near a number of textile shops.
The body of a man and two females were found at the site on Thursday, and about 400 shops were shut down.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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