Duraz residents are demanding urgent action over a waste-strewn plot they say has become a breeding ground for rodents, insects and reptiles, as well as a constant fire threat to nearby homes.
The residents say they have knocked on several official doors seeking a solution but their concerns have yet to receive the response needed to address what they describe as a growing threat to public health, safety and the surrounding environment.
The neglected site in Block 536, Duraz, has become an eyesore, with accumulated waste creating conditions for pests to spread into neighbouring properties.
More seriously, residents claim the plot has also become a gathering place for vandals who repeatedly set fire to the rubbish.
A major blaze recently broke out at the site, with the swift intervention of Civil Defence firemen preventing the flames from spreading to nearby homes and potentially turning the incident into a major disaster.
Northern Municipal Council chairman Dr Sayed Shubbar Al Wedaie said the situation could not be allowed to deteriorate further. “Waste accumulation is not simply an aesthetic issue. When rubbish is left for long periods, it can become a direct threat to public health, safety and the environment,” he said.
“The presence of rodents, insects and reptiles, combined with the possibility of deliberate fires, makes such locations particularly dangerous for neighbouring families.”
Dr Al Wedaie stressed that municipal authorities must be able to identify such locations and ensure that property owners fulfil their legal responsibilities.
“Residents should not have to repeatedly approach different authorities before a dangerous situation is addressed. There must be a clear mechanism for receiving complaints, identifying the responsible party and taking the necessary enforcement action,” he said.
The situation has also revived memories of an illegal dumping site in Al Meqsha, which was removed in 2019 following efforts involving a community figure and the relevant authorities.
Article Six (2) of the 2019 Public Cleanliness Law requires the concerned municipality or authority to oblige owners or occupiers to maintain the cleanliness of properties within its jurisdiction, in accordance with the law’s executive regulations and implementing decisions.
Dr Al Wedaie said the legislation provides an important basis for intervention.
“The law is clear about the responsibility to maintain the cleanliness of properties. What is needed now is effective monitoring and enforcement so that violations do not remain until they become a danger to the surrounding community,” he said.
He added that stronger co-ordination between municipalities and other relevant authorities was essential, particularly where fires, vermin or other safety risks were involved.
“Prevention is always better than waiting for another incident. A rubbish-strewn site should not have to catch fire again before action is taken,” Dr Al Wedaie said.
He said residents are now calling for the site in Block 536 to be cleared, the source of the waste identified, pest-control measures carried out and appropriate legal action taken.
“For residents, the issue is no longer simply about an ugly patch of land,” he pointed out.
“It is about who will act before the next fire – and before an avoidable hazard becomes a tragedy.”
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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