SIGNBOARDS could be set up to identify seven popular areas in a densely-populated island, it has emerged.
The popular areas in Sitra – Wadiyan, Al Kharijiya, Murqoban, Al Qaryah, Mahazza, Sufala and Abul Aish – were acknowledged in addresses following a proposal presented by the now dissolved Central Municipal Council in 2010 and subsequently approved by the government.
However, no effort has been made since then to set up the signboards as elsewhere in the country.
Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Minister Essam Khalaf told the Capital Trustees Board in a letter that the proposed move has been referred to the Information and eGovernment Authority for review.
The areas have a total population of around 81,000.
“Original names should remain in people’s memory for generations,” said Ammar Al Mukhtar, who is one of two parliamentary representatives for Sitra.
“The names represent an area’s identity and a sense of belonging among the people who originated from the area.
“It is like current signboards erected in neighbourhoods in Manama and Muharraq after families that lived there, such as Al Fadhel in Manama or historic sites like Al Hala for the fort that exists in Muharraq.
“The names of the areas in Sitra are currently mentioned in addresses, but they have to be properly publicised through signboards.”
Mr Al Mukhtar
He also added that as people are set to get hundreds of homes coming up in the new Sitra town, the names would likely get lost.
“The move to bring the traditionally known names will ensure that the names live on.”
He was referring to the 1,100 homes being built as part of the first phase of the new East Sitra Town, which is coming up on land reclaimed off Sitra.
The 253-hectare town is expected to have 3,157 homes and 693 housing plots when completed.
Meanwhile, Capital Trustees Board chairman Saleh Tarradah said several original names have been overshadowed by larger areas around them, which shouldn’t be the case.
Mr Tarradah
“There were several areas surrounding Tubli, but they have all been forgotten, except for a few.
“We don’t want to see this happening to Sitra’s historic areas with residents of those areas referring to it in their surnames or when identifying themselves.
“Having the areas mentioned on maps is good, but having the signboards is much better.”
An original Sitra area that falls in the Southern Governorate, Halat Umm Al Bayd, doesn’t have any Sitra reference on maps and signs.
mohammed@gdn.com.bh
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