Manama: Projects in the southern part of the country that were put on hold due to budget delays were finally expected to go ahead.
These include a harbour in Zallaq and extensive maintenance work on different roads in the Southern Governorate, which were approved by authorities early in the year but work never started.
Funding for the schemes was allocated through the national budget, which was stalled for six months with parliament objecting to the increase in debt ceiling from BD5 billion to BD7bn, as well as government planning to cut subsidies.
However, Southern Municipal Council chairman Ahmed Al Ansari told the GDN that different projects and proposals will be discussed when councillors return for the new legislative term tomorrow.
“We’re starting by reviewing the responses we’ve received by the minister’s office over the summer,” he said.
“There are some we are willing to accept and some need more details, so they haven’t been accepted.
“We will present them to the council and experts and see how we will move forward.
“As for projects, there have been several delayed ones from last session because of the budget.
“Finally the budget is done, so the projects should go forward now.
“Things like street maintenance or opening roads, fixing and redoing the asphalt didn’t go forward just because of the budget, despite having been agreed on with the Works Ministry.
“There are also several gardens that are set to be refurbished and new ones built, and those should go ahead too.”
Mr Al Ansari said a harbour in Zallaq was expected to be completed by the beginning of next year.
“The Zallaq Harbour is being worked on, but it was also delayed as a result of the budget, but now it’s moving forward and we expect it to finish at the beginning of 2016,” he said.
“It will be mainly for the Zallaq families, particularly fishermen who have their boats docked there.
“There will also be a coastline and walkway, which of course will be open to everyone who wants to use it.”
He added that other projects, including extending electricity lines, increasing the number of stations and building a pedestrian bridge in Riffa were also in the pipeline.
laala@gdn.com.bh
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