Calls have been made to reopen locked public toilets across parks, walkways and gardens in the Northern Governorate – even if it requires introducing a nominal 100‑fils usage fee.
Members of the Northern Municipal Council have urged swift action, citing growing public pressure and hundreds of signed petitions submitted by residents from all 12 constituencies.
Councillors warned that the continued closure of facilities has created distressing situations, particularly for the elderly, children and people with medical conditions.
Western Hamad Town councillor Abdulla Al Qobaisi said he had witnessed, and even received video evidence of, elderly people with diabetes peeing or soiling themselves because they were unable to access toilets.
Council chairman Dr Sayed Shubbar Al Wedaie described the footage as unfit for public screening.
“This is a humanitarian issue before it is a municipal one,” Mr Al Qobaisi told the meeting.
“Elderly people are suffering, and children are being forced to relieve themselves on the ground or behind vehicles. Let it be prioritised, open the restrooms. What’s happening is an embarrassment.”
He said hundreds of residents had signed petitions demanding immediate action, alleging that families had started avoiding public parks altogether because of the lack of basic services.
Councillors acknowledged that circumstances had changed and public pressure was now too strong to ignore.
“This is about dignity,” said Mr Al Qobaisi. “A small fee is far better than forcing people into humiliating situations.”
A’ali and Ramli District councillor Abdulla Ashoor supported the call but stressed that reopening must be tied to a paid-entry system.
“Many toilets were vandalised, looted and deliberately sabotaged,” he said.
“Charging a fee for the service will help ensure discipline, control access and reduce abuse. We cannot simply reopen and expect different results without a system.”
Similar views were echoed by Southern Hamad Town and Dar Kulaib councillor Abdulla Ibrahim Al Thawadi and Eastern Hamad Town councillor Abdulla Shareeda Al Thawadi, who both urged swift implementation of a fee-based model to balance public need with sustainability.
However, Northern Municipality director-general Mohammed Al Sehli defended the government’s position, stressing that repeated acts of vandalism had forced authorities to lock facilities.
“The government is not here to accommodate irresponsible behaviour that incurs high maintenance costs,” Mr Al Sehli said.
“We acted humanely. We fixed damages and bought replacements. However, this was perceived by some as a signal to continue rampage.”
He warned that scarce municipal resources were being drained by constant repairs.
“We have specific and limited funding, and it cannot be spent endlessly on maintenance and renovations instead of planned developmental projects,” he said.
Mr Al Sehli questioned councillors on the extent of destruction.
“I can understand theft of toilet items for sale or for use elsewhere,” he said.
“But shattering mirrors? Why are mirrors being smashed?”
He revealed that a detailed pay-toilet scheme had already been prepared.
“The fee plan is ready, and we were waiting for you to ask for it to be presented,” he told councillors.
Pay-per-use toilets have already been introduced by the Capital Trustees Board, as well as the Muharraq and Southern Municipal Councils.
However, Mr Al Sehli noted that when a similar proposal was previously brought before the Northern Municipal Council, it was rejected.
The council is expected to formally request presentation of the fee-based plan, potentially paving the way for reopening long-shuttered public toilets across the Northern Governorate.
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