Legislators are calling on the government to accelerate long-delayed urban planning and infrastructure works on Nurana Island, where hundreds of Bahraini landowners remain unable to utilise their properties more than a decade after purchasing them.
The move is led by Parliament’s services committee chairman and area MP Mamdooh Al Saleh, with strong backing from fellow MPs.
Mr Al Saleh described the situation as a ‘bureaucratic trap’ that has left citizens in limbo for years.
Mr Al Saleh
“It’s been more than a decade, and people still cannot obtain building permits because there is no infrastructure in place,” he said.
“These are properties bought with hard-earned money and yet their owners have no options. Some are forced to rent small apartments or live in overcrowded homes because they cannot build on their own land.”
Nurana Island, a man-made development spanning around 2.32 square kilometres, has the potential to accommodate between 500 and 600 housing units. However, despite its strategic location along Bahrain’s northern coast and growing demand for housing, progress has remained stalled.
Mr Al Saleh claimed that the consequences extended beyond individual hardship, affecting national housing challenges.
“Citizens who own land on Nurana are excluded from government housing programmes, yet they cannot benefit from their properties due to the absence of infrastructure,” he said.
“They are caught in an unfair situation – paying loans without being able to build or access support. This is not just a development issue; it is a matter of justice and dignity.”
With more than 50,000 Bahrainis on housing waiting lists, MPs argued that unlocking stalled developments such as Nurana Island could significantly ease pressure on the housing sector.
“We are not asking for a new city to be built from scratch,” Mr Al Saleh added. “We are asking the government to fulfil its responsibilities – approve plans, construct roads, provide utilities, and allow citizens to build their futures.”
Echoing these concerns, MP Mohammed Al Olaiwi stressed that the issue has dragged on for far too long, pointing out that land subdivision approvals date back to 2011.
Mr Al Olaiwi
“Fifteen years have passed since the land was divided, yet the island still lacks the basic infrastructure required for development,” he said.
“This project attracted many investors, including people I personally know who bought plots with the hope of building or investing there, but to this day they are unable to proceed.”
He added that he continues to receive complaints from affected landowners facing mounting financial pressure.
“Some are paying off loans for land they cannot use, while others are trying to sell at a loss but cannot find buyers. This situation is simply not acceptable,” Mr Al Olaiwi said.
“There must be urgent action to complete the urban planning and infrastructure for Nurana Island.”
Parliament and Shura Council Affairs Minister Ghanim Al Buainain confirmed that planning procedures are progressing.
He said authorities are currently undertaking traffic and planning studies in co-ordination with the Works Ministry and the Urban Planning and Development Authority to improve access routes and integrate the island with surrounding developments.
“Secondary infrastructure works will be implemented by project developers in line with updated land subdivision regulations issued in 2024,” Mr Al Buainain explained.
MPs, however, have stressed the need for swift government action, amid rising demand for housing solutions.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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