Residents of Dair and Samaheej will remain without a dedicated social housing expansion after the government confirmed that no suitable state-owned residential land is available to establish a new project in the two neighbouring villages.
The disclosure was made by Housing and Urban Planning Ministry Under-Secretary Fatima Al Mannai in an official response to the Muharraq Municipal Council read out yesterday, ending months of lobbying by councillors seeking to reserve 138 government plots for a housing development serving local families.
According to the ministry, the proposed properties were examined by the relevant planning authorities, which concluded that the land had already been modified and subdivided for compensation purposes and is classified as non-residential, making it impossible to incorporate into the requested housing scheme.
“We would like to inform you that the request to include 138 residential plots in the housing project in the Dair and Samaheej areas has been thoroughly studied,” Ms Al Mannai said.
“The review by the competent planning authorities showed that these properties had already been altered and subdivided for compensation purposes, in addition to being classified as non-residential. Therefore, it is impossible to include these properties in the proposed housing project.”
Compensation plots can be offered by the state in return for acquired services or contractual work instead of a financial payment, or in exchange to owners of land needed for major road expansion development or other crucial state projects, among other reasons.
Despite the rejection, the Muharraq Municipal Council reaffirmed its recommendation, insisting that the plots should instead be allocated for housing to benefit residents of Dair, Samaheej and the wider Muharraq Governorate.
The council’s technical committee chairman Mohammed Al Mahmood argued that the location remains the only practical site for a future housing development in the area and suggested swapping compensation plots to reclaimed land between Dair and southern Diyar Al Muharraq. Councillors believe this would solve the issue and allow the area highlighted to be linked into one integrated housing project capable of meeting growing demand.
Financial, administrative and legislative committee chairman and area councillor Fadhel Al Oud said the decision ignored the social realities of the two villages. “I’m not against giving people plots as compensation,” he said. “But when compensation cases from across Bahrain take up parts of Dair and Samaheej, then where do we go?”
Mr Al Oud stressed that nearby housing developments could no longer absorb demand from residents.
“The nearest Hidd Housing Town is already full, while other housing towns are too far away. Dair and Samaheej are already overcrowded, so where are future generations supposed to live?”
He noted that the villages have long-standing family and social ties.
“The two villages are close-knit communities where families largely marry within the area. Naturally, people want to remain close to their relatives and roots.
“Some compensation plots should be relinquished and replaced elsewhere so that housing projects can finally be planned for our own residents.”
Muharraq Municipal Council chairman Abdulaziz Al Naar also voiced disappointment at the ministry’s position.
“It is deeply frustrating to learn that there are no available housing plots for Dair and Samaheej,” he said.
“The council submitted this request because residents genuinely need a housing project that meets the growing needs of the area. We will continue pursuing every possible avenue with the relevant authorities to secure appropriate land for our citizens.”
He said the issue highlights mounting pressure on Bahrain’s housing sector, particularly in long-established communities where limited land availability and rising demand continue to leave many families waiting for opportunities to remain in their villages and hometowns.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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