A symbolic fee of 100 fils could soon be introduced for the use of public toilets in selected parks, walkways and coastal areas across the Northern Governorate, following approval by the Northern Municipal Council.
The council backed the proposal during its latest hybrid meeting, held both in person and online, as part of efforts to protect public facilities and ensure their proper maintenance.
The initiative was originally set to cover four locations as part of a pilot phase, but Jasra Public Park was later removed from the list after area councillor Mohammed Al Dossary revealed that a philanthropist had stepped forward to take responsibility for maintaining the entire park.
Under the revised plan, the symbolic fee will apply to three locations – A’ali Walkway, Abu Sobh Coastline and Malkiya Beach.
Northern Municipality director-general Mohammed Al Sehli said the move had become necessary due to repeated vandalism and misuse of municipal facilities.
“Many municipal facilities have been looted, destroyed, sabotaged and vandalised repeatedly – particularly public toilets,” he said.
Mr Al Sehli noted that the small fee would help ensure proper supervision and upkeep of the facilities, adding that the municipality had already received interest from a contractor willing to manage the toilets and provide on-site staff.
“We have a contractor willing to take up the responsibility of putting an employee to supervise the toilets,” he added. “The presence of a staff member will help maintain cleanliness and prevent misuse.”
He explained that the Northern Governorate had been the last among Bahrain’s four governorates to approve such a measure.
“It is the right move for now with the Northern Municipal Council being last to approve from Bahrain’s four governorates, which are now seeing clean toilets,” Mr Al Sehli said.
The proposal was initially put forward by the council’s financial, administrative and legislative committee, which reviewed the condition of public facilities and the increasing costs associated with maintaining them.
Committee chairman councillor Dr Mohsin Abdulla said the nominal fee was designed not as a revenue-generating measure but as a practical step to ensure sustainability and improve services for visitors.
“The proposal aims to preserve public facilities and raise the standard of services provided to visitors,” he said.
Dr Abdulla stressed that regular maintenance of public toilets was essential, particularly in recreational areas that attract large numbers of families and tourists.
“The symbolic fee will help guarantee continuous cleaning and periodic maintenance of these facilities, while also discouraging misuse,” he explained.
He added that the initiative was part of broader efforts to enhance the quality of services in public spaces and promote responsible use of community amenities.
“It also supports the adoption of best practices in managing service facilities at tourist and recreational sites,” Dr Abdulla said.
Council members unanimously supported forwarding the recommendation to Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Minister Wael Al Mubarak for final approval and implementation.
The exact date for introducing the fee will be announced later by the minister.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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