Municipal challenges facing some of Manama’s busiest neighbourhoods were thrust into the spotlight as the Capital Trustees Board reviewed a detailed statistical report on services and infrastructure needs in Capital Governorate Constituency Five.
Covering Salmaniya, Segaiya, Mahooz, Zinj, Abu Ashaira, Abu Ghazal and Bilad Al Qadeem, the constituency includes seven blocks, more than 70 government and private institutions and six public parks.
It also hosts dozens of schools, health facilities, universities, mosques, churches, charities, clubs and petrol stations, reflecting its heavy daily footfall and constant pressure on services.
Under focus were concerns about cracked pavements and dimly lit streets to waste management such as dumped animal carcasses and blocked drainage issues.
Between January 2024 and late 2025, a total of 221 requests, complaints and suggestions were logged for the constituency. Of these, 64 per cent were completed, 25pc remained under review and 11pc had been formally responded to, according to figures presented to the board.
The meeting was attended for the first time by newly appointed Capital Trustees Authority (Municipality) director-general Alya Yousif, who gave feedback on the progress of work.
Ms Yousif
Capital Trustees Board chairman Saleh Tarradah said the numbers demonstrate both the scale of challenges and the level of progress.
Mr Tarradah, right, with Dr Al Qattan
“These are among the most densely populated and active areas in the Capital Governorate, so it is natural that service demands are high,” Mr Tarradah said.
“What is important is that the majority of cases are being resolved, and we are pushing to raise completion rates even further.”
Public works-related issues dominated the list, accounting for almost two-thirds of all requests.
These included 80 cases of pothole filling and road maintenance, 35 sidewalk and pavement repairs, 25 waste-related complaints and numerous reports on lighting faults, rainwater pooling and sewerage problems.
A further 53 requests were submitted directly through the Capital Trustees Authority relating mainly to public hygiene, tree trimming and road occupancy.
Mr Tarradah said the board would continue to monitor performance through regular follow-ups with relevant authorities.
“Our responsibility does not end with presenting figures,” he said.
“We will keep tracking each request until it is completed, because residents deserve to see real change on the ground.”
Meanwhile, Capital Trustees Board vice-chairwoman Dr Khulood Al Qattan – a resident of the area – said the report reflects a shift towards evidence-based planning.
“This is no longer anecdotal,” she said.
“We are working with real data that tells us where the pressure points are, which streets require urgent attention and which services need strengthening.”
She added that the district’s size and diversity require co-ordinated responses.
“Constituency Five alone includes six public parks and a high concentration of schools and health facilities,” Dr Al Qattan said.
“That means maintenance, cleanliness and safety must be continuous, not reactive.”
Health-related requests, while fewer in number, were also highlighted. Five cases were logged with the Health Ministry, mainly concerning insect and rodent control and livestock pens, underlining the link between municipal services and public health.
Parliament’s financial and economic affairs committee chairman and area MP Ahmed Al Salloom, attended the meeting and praised the collaborative approach.
“Open channels of co-operation with the Capital Trustees Board have helped speed up much-needed work in our areas,” Mr Al Salloom said.
Mr Al Salloom
“When elected representatives and municipal officials work together, citizens see faster and more effective results.”
He stressed that central Manama neighbourhoods have unique demands.
“These areas are home to hospitals, universities, markets and major roads,” he said.
“Any delay in maintenance or services directly affects thousands of people every day.”
With hundreds of cases already addressed and dozens more in the pipeline, officials expressed optimism that sustained co-ordination will translate into tangible improvements across the constituency.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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