HAZARDOUS chemical waste has been removed from an illegal dumpsite in Meqsha village, marking the end of a major clean-up operation led by the Northern Municipal Council.
Council chairman and area councillor Dr Sayed Shubbar Al Wedaie confirmed that all chemical waste stored at the site has been transferred to a designated hazardous waste treatment facility.
The clean-up was conducted in co-ordination with the Supreme Council for Environment (SCE) and the support of licensed waste management company Crown Industries.
Dr Al Wedaie, second from left, with officials prior to the clean-up operation
“The removal of chemical barrels and dangerous materials from Meqsha is not just a municipal success; it is a public health victory for residents living nearby,” said Dr Al Wedaie.
A total of 107 truckloads of waste, including chemical containers, sewage-related substances, household garbage and construction debris, were extracted from the illegal landfill and transported to proper disposal sites.
The site, located in a residential zone, had been used for years as an unauthorised dumping ground for volatile and dangerous chemicals, in clear violation of Bahrain’s 2022 Environment Law.
The isolated chemicals
Dr Al Wedaie described the situation as an ‘environmental crime’.
“We found a dangerous mix of materials that posed a direct threat to both human life and the environment,” he said.
“Some of the chemical barrels discovered were highly unstable and could have triggered explosions if mishandled during removal.”
Because of the serious risks posed by the stored substances, the council co-ordinated with a certified hazardous waste handler to ensure safe transport and treatment of the materials.
“Removing such dangerous waste requires more than just manpower. It needs expertise, licensing and compliance with international safety standards,” noted Dr Al Wedaie.
The property where the illegal dump was located was originally leased from the Jaffari Endowments Directorate in 1999, under an agreement that expired in 2024. Since then, it had been illegally occupied, with unlicensed structures erected and used without any environmental approvals.
The case has now been referred to the Public Prosecution, with the alleged offender facing multiple criminal charges. Official complaints have been filed by the SCE, the ministries of Oil and Environment, Health, Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture, Justice, Interior and Electricity and Water Affairs.
“The individual responsible showed complete disregard for the law and public safety,” said Dr Al Wedaie.
“The site was a time bomb waiting to explode, especially considering its proximity to homes and schools. We had no choice but to act immediately.”
However, Dr Al Wedaie stressed that site restoration is still ongoing and will require further resources.
“There is no fixed timeline yet for fully rehabilitating the site. Chemical contamination is not something you can deal with overnight; it demands ongoing testing and environmental monitoring.”
He also made it clear that the cost of the clean-up must be borne by the land’s illegal occupier, not the government or municipal authorities.
“The financial burden of removing these chemicals is not the responsibility of the municipal council or the SCE. It lies squarely with those who violated the law and endangered our people.”
Dr Al Wedaie urged people to adhere to the requirements of the 2019 Public Cleanliness Law and the Environment Law, and report any violations.
He thanked the various parties involved, including the Northern Municipality, Health Ministry, Northern Governorate Police Directorate, Urbaser Bahrain, the Jaffari Endowments Directorate and local community leaders.
This latest intervention follows a similar clean-up campaign in 2020 after complaints by residents. The council has pledged to increase site inspections and co-ordinate closely with religious endowment bodies to prevent the unauthorised use of trust properties in the future.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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