Plans are underway to expand and create more green spaces along with recreational and entertainment facilities across Bahrain, according to a top minister.
Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Minister Wael Al Mubarak told the Shura Council that the kingdom had 190 registered public parks, walkways and gardens together covering around two million square metres of space.
Fifty-two of these places were in the Southern Governorate covering an area of 437,170sqm, 51 in the Capital Governorate covering 377,009sqm, 44 in the Muharraq Governorate covering 675,904sqm, and 43 in the Northern Governorate covering 327,885.4sqm.
Responding in writing to a question by Shura’s youth committee chairman Redha Monfaradi, the minister said municipal facilities were designed, equipped and assembled to cover all age ranges and tastes, including new rides for children with disabilities.
Special rubber grounds have been installed to ease the movement of those with mobility issues, while special ramps have been installed at multiple spots.
“We have rides for children aged between three and six, or seven and 12, besides adolescents and youths at the country’s 190 registered public parks, walkways and gardens,” said Mr Al Mubarak.
“There are also multi-sport courts, pitches and fitness equipment that are divided to suit all ages,” he added.
“This comes as we work on plans to plant 3.6 million trees across the country by 2035 with the focus on expanding those valuable municipal facilities and even adding new ones themed around green concepts.”
l Twenty-two bankruptcy trustees are authorised to oversee liquidation or reorganisation procedures, said Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Minister Nawaf Al Maawda.
He told the Shura Council in writing that tough conditions needed to be met for permission to be granted to the trustees.
Trustees should have a Bachelor’s degree in Law or a Master’s degree in Business Administration regardless of their Bachelor’s specialisation, have at least seven years of experience, shouldn’t have been sentenced in any honour or honesty case.
MPs, Shura Council and Capital Trustees Board members, and municipal councillors are prohibited from working in the field, added the minister.
A bankruptcy trustee is an administrator appointed by the court to oversee the debtor’s estate in a bankruptcy proceeding.
The trustee can evaluate and make recommendations about various debtor demands, but cannot act without approval of the court.
A bankruptcy trustee’s duties vary depending on the type of the case.
“Following the issuance of the 2018 Bankruptcy Law, we needed to assemble strong trustees to oversee liquidation or reorganisation procedures,” said Mr Al Maawda, responding to a question by Sayed Hisham Al Qassab and Tariq Al Saffar.
“Now there are 22 trustees, ranging from individuals to firms, that are licensed to do the task as assigned by the court,” he said.
“For companies, a team per case is maximum 30, and they come under the main oath recited in front of the minister.”
l The Heritage Village in Ras Hayyan would be opened to investors, Information Minister Dr Ramzan Al Nuaimi told the Shura Council in a written reply.
“We are in talks with the ministers of Finance and National Economy, Housing and Urban Planning, and Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture to develop the village besides opening it for bidders,” he said, in response to a question by Shura’s woman and child committee chairwoman Dr Fatima Al Kooheji.
“We are working with the Education Ministry to get students to regularly visit the village.
“We are assessing options for year-long events, but clearly our biggest day is National Day with more than 100,000 visitors annually over the past two years.”
Members will be notified of the responses and reports on two overseas participations, during the chamber’s weekly session on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the council will vote on amendments to the 2002 Fishing Organisation, Catching and Protection Law presented by five members led by public utilities and environment affairs committee vice-chairman Juma Al Ka’abi.
Under it:
* Foreign vessels are banned from fishing in Bahrain’s territorial waters.
* Sale of fishery products or yield is prohibited without authorisation from bodies concerned.
* Local owners can’t modify or make changes to their vessels without authorisation.
* Reclamation of dying fishing grounds is prohibited without a licence from the minister concerned, or for public projects.
The Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Ministry said some of the provisions were already under study, but asked for a rethink on banning foreign vessels.
The Oil and Environment Ministry backed some amendments, saying that a ministerial edict organising the marine sector was on the way.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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