Plans to construct a major fishermen’s jetty on a popular coast in the western part of Bahrain have been put on hold.
It follows a campaign against the proposed current location of the project by Malkiya village residents who claim it would eat up too much of their public beach. They are calling for the project to be relocated to government property which has already been earmarked for other projects.
Mr Al Bahrani
Area MP and Parliament financial and economic affairs committee chairman Mahmood Al Bahrani said a decision will have to be taken shortly on the jetty proposal which will cost several thousands of dinars to complete.
“I understand concerns that if the jetty gets built on the beach then it would eat up huge space and limit public access to the sea whether for recreational, family or maritime activities,” he said.
“It is a dilemma because if we push to get it constructed on the northern side it may not be earmarked on time.
“This would mean that the allocated budget would be lost and we would have to wait for another opportunity in the next financial cycle of 2023-2024 hoping it gets prioritised by the government and newly-elected MPs out of the national budget.”
Mr Al Bahrani said negotiations over the jetty’s location were continuing with Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Minister Essam Khalaf but the issue ‘remains inconclusive’.
He added that the project is set to begin in May 2022, which means that the ministry had to receive the green light before the year’s end.
As well as the main jetty, the new 4,720sqm facility, will have a 34-space car park, a docking area accommodating up to 14 boats at a time, an administrative building, a fish market and other public facilities. Construction work would take place on only 513sqm of the actual space.
Ms Al Durazi
Area councillor Zainab Al Durazi said the issue has been dividing Malkiya residents.
“We believe that the option should be approving the existing jetty plans and then, if we get the other northern part, it should be added to the open beach.
“Time is not on our side and if the allocated budget is withdrawn then the wait could take years for new financing to be allocated.
“I realise the sensitivity of the matter and for that we have to meet all concerned parties for an understanding on the best way forward.”
Malkiya became the first beach to be registered officially through a royal decree as public property following protests by residents in 2006 when a nearby landlord started reclamation work from his coastal plot into the sea.
Meanwhile, there are no issues with the adjacent jetty planned on the Karzakan coast.
The Karzakan project will feature the main jetty, a fish market and a parking lot that can accommodate up to 50 cars at a time. There will be a resting area for fishermen, a new slipway and a dock for up to 12 boats.
An administrative building has also been planned besides other public facilities, including a room and a toilet for a guard. It is also planned to have work start in May next year and end in November.
mohammed@gdn.com.bh
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