FEES for municipal services are set for a massive shake-up, it has emerged.
A special committee has been formed by Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Affairs Minister Essam Khalaf to conduct a comprehensive review of the different services provided and their charges.
Bahrain’s four municipalities collect fees on construction, maintenance and remodelling permits, while also charging for municipal services such as cleaning.
“The ministry has been tasked by the government to review fees in a bid to provide a more realistic perspective,” said Muharraq Municipality director general Ibrahim Al Jowder.
“This exercise could include slashing certain tariffs, and adding or introducing new ones.
“For instance, 10 per cent of a housing unit’s rent is charged as municipal fees on the utility bills; this could be slashed to 5pc.”
He also pointed out that in some cases when applications for construction permits are rejected and changes proposed, completely different applications are submitted but applicants are charged only once.
“This is a waste of our time and we have to start an assessment from scratch. In such cases new fees could be introduced,” said Mr Al Jowder.
“Some services are not worth their fees as in the case of someone applying for partial renovation and then taking the cheaper permit and getting the full house remodelled.
“The fees should be for remodelling and whether it is one part or whole that’s up to the applicant, with the charge being the same for all.”
Mr Al Jowder, who was speaking during the Muharraq Municipal Council’s meeting final meeting of the term yesterday, said the comprehensive survey of all services and charges could take up the whole summer.
“We will be ready with the new list by the end of August.
“There is an alternative approach that we may end up taking and that’s introducing reduced fees for a limited time and then introducing the new rate which could kick in a year later.
“The current pandemic has devastated businesses and individuals, with the Cabinet trying its best to offer help by waiving rents on government properties for three months.”
Council acting chairman Hassan Al Doy said people were suffering and municipal fees were beyond the reach of many due to high inflation caused by Covid-19.
“Municipal fees are taken for organisational purposes and not to make profits. The government can’t give support in one form and then take it back months later in another form.
“Fees should be flexible and depend on the circumstances, and nor remain fixed for three decades.”
Parliament utilities and environment affairs committee chairman Mohammed Buhamood said the review was long overdue.
“Some municipal fees are ridiculously high, especially in construction, at a time when the country should be focused on getting more development projects.
“Businessmen and investors should not be given a reason to have second thoughts on whether to pump money into Bahrain’s economy or not.
“We need the country to progress and a review of the municipal fees is long overdue.”
mohammed@gdn.com.bh
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