A call for improved co-ordination between ministry departments has been made by MPs following claims that beautified greenery around roadsides and roundabouts was being bulldozed before being allowed to blossom.
They fear the country could be wasting money and labour in its efforts to balance climate change and infrastructure at a time when expenditure is under scrutiny.
“Three months after planting greenery at roundabouts in A’ali, including palm trees worth around BD180 each, they were destroyed to pave way for an expansion of Shaikh Zayed Highway,” said Parliament public utilities and environment affairs committee chairman Mohammed Buhamood. “New traffic lights were installed in their place.
“It appears that sometimes different departments within the same ministry are not fully aware of what each other have planned. Co-ordination and communication needs to be improved, in my opinion.”
His demands have been supported by Parliament services committee chairman Ahmed Al Ansari who said that he welcomed moves to increase greenery and protection of the environment provided there were guarantees the plants would stay in place for a reasonable length of time.
“When a tree is planted and then uprooted within a few months it clearly defeats the whole purpose of the exercise,” he added. “Proper planning at a time when the country needs every fils is essential.”
Muharraq Municipal Council chairman Ghazi Al Murbati believes the hidden costs of roadside beautification are not appreciated and cannot be ignored.
“People think planting projects are cheap ... actually, they are not. It costs money to grow seedlings, transport and place them in the ground by specialised companies. For someone to say ‘I don’t want it’ within a few months and have the area bulldozed is baffling.”
Southern Municipal Council chairman Bader Al Tamimi suggested placing artificial plants or moveable monuments would better stand the test of time, despite not helping fight climate change.
“We don’t need trees everywhere – it could be something artificial that doesn’t get damaged by the weather or when roadworks are necessary,” he explained, adding that businesses could contribute or sponsor sections.
Whatever happens, they all hope action is taken to get to the root of the problem before the next investment is made.
The GDN reported last month that work on five beautification and afforestation projects worth BD2 million was expected to begin this year.
Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Minister Essam Khalaf said designs were being finalised. Construction on the projects will begin during the last quarter of the year and completed by the end of next year.
The projects set for beautification include the intersection at Mina Salman, phase two of the Janabiya intersection, beautification of the intersection between Shaikh Isa Highway with Shaikh Salman Highway in Salmabad, the intersection of Shaikh Khalifa Avenue with Zallaq Highway near Bahrain University, and the development of an intersection in Saar.
The Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry was unavailable to comment at the time of going to press.
mohammed@gdn.com.bh
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