Bahrain - Land could be allocated in the Southern Governorate to create parking for boats amid complaints from fishermen about a lack of adequate docking facilities for their vessels.
A proposal for a plot of land, tabled by councillor Omar Abdulrahman who represents constituency four (parts of Buhair), was unanimously approved by the Southern Municipal Council.
A lack of designated spaces has forced owners to park their vessels inside neighbourhoods causing congestion and confusion while the random nature of the situation resulted in some boats being ransacked and vandalised.
Complaints
“We have been receiving a lot of complaints from citizens about a lack of designated parking spaces for their vessels,” Mr Abdulrahman told the GDN.
“These are fishermen who rely on these boats and the sea as a source of livelihood for them and their families and they are unable to park their vessels because each area is monopolising their jetties for their residents which leaves these fishermen without a location.
“It’s not their fault as they are trying to legally park their vessels at these jetties that are being monopolised by others and when parking near their house they are fined by the government for improper parking.
“These fishermen are looking for a solution to their situation and they don’t mind even paying for the facilities as all they want is a space for their vessels.”
“I’ve been called by boat owners who had their boats towed from neighbourhoods for wrongful parking and this costs them money.”
The same proposal by the Northern Municipal Council was rejected last month by the government despite being unanimously approved by the municipal body.
The GDN reported on November 15 that Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Minister Essam Khalaf told the council in writing that no land was available for the project despite the council deeming the move necessary.
“We have received many complaints from residents about boats being randomly parked in neighbourhoods,” said Southern Municipal Council vice-chairman Abdullateef Mohammed during the weekly council meeting.
“This is also causing problems for boat owners who have no other option but to park their vessels near their houses.”
The GDN reported on October 19 that Northern Municipal Council chairman Ahmed Al Kooheji said a proposal by former council chairman and current MP Mohammed Buhamood featured a multi-storey dry berthing facilities for speedboats at jetties in which the smallest of such parking can accommodate up to 200 speedboats.
Meanwhile, MP Khaled Bu Onk previously suggested the government make public spaces available at a reasonable monthly fee following the ministry slapping fines on people parking their speedboats in residential areas, or towing away their vehicles in collaboration with the Interior Ministry.
The proposal was unanimously approved by members of the council and will now be referred to the Works, Municipalities Affairs an Urban Planning Minister for review.
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