A LANDLORD who illegally stored sewage drainage chemicals and hazardous waste near residential neighbourhoods in Meqsha village has been officially referred to the Public Prosecution, the Northern Municipal Council has confirmed.
The case involves a large plot of land leased in 1999 for 25 years from the Jaffari Waqf (Endowments) Directorate, with the contract having expired in 2024.
Since then, the plot has been used without authorisation and unlicensed structures have been erected without municipal or environmental approval.
Council chairman and area councillor Dr Sayed Shubbar Al Wedaie said the referral comes after serious environmental violations were uncovered at the site, including chemical barrels, sewage drainage materials, construction debris and domestic waste, all posing risks to public health and safety.
“This is not just a municipal violation, it is an environmental crime,” he said.
“The individual has shown blatant disregard for the law, the environment and the well-being of nearby residents.”
The council has also confirmed that complaints have been lodged with several ministries, including the Oil and Environment, Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture, Health, Interior, Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments and Electricity and Water Affairs.
“All relevant authorities have launched their legal procedures and this case is now in the hands of the Public Prosecution,” added Dr Al Wedaie.
A cleanup operation began yesterday, with bulldozers and cranes deployed to the site under the joint supervision of multiple government agencies.
The task is being co-ordinated by the Northern Municipality in collaboration with the Supreme Council for the Environment (SCE), the Health Ministry, the Northern Governorate Police Directorate, Urbaser Bahrain, the Jaffari Endowments Directorate and community representatives.
Dr Al Wedaie, who personally visited the site during the launch of the cleanup, revealed that the stored sewage drainage chemicals posed significant risks, including the potential for explosions during demolition work.
“We have isolated most of the dangerous materials, but the presence of unknown chemical substances has made this operation highly sensitive,” he said.
“Specialised companies will handle the removal of hazardous waste to ensure safety.”
He added that no timeline has been set for the completion of the clean-up due to the complexity of the contamination and the safety precautions required.
“The cleanup will continue until we can fully restore sanitary and environmental conditions,” said Dr Al Wedaie.
“All costs will be borne by the violator, no public money will be used to clean up this private negligence.”
Dr Al Wedaie noted this was not the first such violation at the same location.
In June 2020, a similar illegal dump was cleared following complaints from local residents.
He warned that the latest incident reflects a ‘troubling pattern of disregard for public safety’.
“What we’re seeing now is the result of lawlessness and failure to enforce regulations,” he said.
“This recurring dumping shows the urgent need for tighter oversight and stronger penalties.”
The site will be fenced off permanently to prevent further illegal dumping or possible use for immoral acts and all parties involved will face legal consequences.
“Protecting our environment is protecting our society. We will not let this violation go unpunished, and we will pursue justice to the fullest extent of the law.”
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