The final meeting of the Northern Municipal Council for the year descended into chaos after a heated dispute among councillors, forcing the chairman to suspend the proceedings abruptly.
Council chairman Dr Sayed Shubbar Al Wedaie repeatedly called for calm as tensions escalated following angry outbursts from councillor Abdulla Al Qobaisi during deliberations.
According to witnesses, Dr Al Wedaie rose from his seat, gesturing repeatedly and calling for a ‘time out’ in an attempt to restore order.
However, the situation deteriorated when Mr Al Qobaisi shouted back offensively, telling the chairman to sit down and ‘know his role’.
Several councillors rushed from their seats to restrain Mr Al Qobaisi and urged him to respect the chair and de-escalate, as raised voices echoed throughout the chamber.
The confrontation reportedly began after Mr Al Qobaisi accused the Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Ministry of corrupt practices in handling home repair cases.
Dr Al Wedaie immediately disputed the claims, calling on the councillor to provide evidence and warning against making serious allegations without substantiation.
“We must be accurate and responsible when raising such issues,” the chairman said, stressing that accountability depended on facts and not accusations.
Mr Al Qobaisi angrily rejected the response and insisted that elected representatives existed to protect citizens’ rights.
The dispute centred on the home repair assistance scheme, particularly the BD10,000 ceiling applied to repair works.
Mr Al Qobaisi argued that beneficiaries were entitled to BD10,000 and claimed that some homes had been repaired for higher sums.
“Contractors are using cheap, knock-off and even second-hand materials,” he alleged. “I have evidence, including catching their workers at Kashra Market.”
He further claimed that an elderly woman had complained of rust appearing in her water tap after repairs, despite the contractor insisting the fixture was new.
“I checked the heater myself and it was a used one,” Mr Al Qobaisi claimed.
Dr Al Wedaie said the budget for the scheme was based on repair needs, rather than guaranteed entitlements.
“It is up to BD10,000 and not the entire BD10,000 as an entitlement,” he said.
“Exceptions are granted only through special ministerial decisions for extensive work, emergencies or safety-related cases where the maximum amount is insufficient.”
Mr Al Qobaisi continued shouting, accusing the chairman of not representing citizens and instead defending the concerned entities.
However, council vice-chairwoman Zaina Jassim and services and public utilities committee chairwoman Zainab Al Durazi voiced support for Dr Al Wedaie’s position, backing his explanation of the repair scheme and demanding concrete evidence to substantiate allegations of wrongdoing.
They stressed the importance of maintaining decorum and following institutional procedures when raising complaints.
With tempers flaring as members rose from their seats to confront Mr Al Qobaisi, the chairman brought the meeting to an abrupt halt, marking an unprecedented end to the council’s final session of the year.
No official statement was issued following the incident.
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