Bahraini traders who have had their livelihoods turned upside down by major work to create a state-of-the-art market boulevard in Muharraq are set to receive help to combat their current financial woes.
Muharraq Municipal Council has unanimously voted to drop all owed municipal payments due from the shops to aid their business viability until improvements to the area, costing more than half a million dinars, reach completion later this year.
The proposal has been forwarded by council chairman and area councillor Abdulaziz Al Naar following a petition from traders pleading for assistance as dramatic trade losses caused by the infrastructure works could result in many of them going bust before they can benefit from the investment.
Mr Al Naar
“Honestly, I wanted the traders to receive more financial assistance because their situation is heart-breaking,” said Mr Al Naar. “For now, we can only use whatever power is available in the council’s hands and that’s relieving the traders from municipal fees for the past 12 months,” he added.
“The roadworks currently taking place have hit some traders more than others. When it comes to a traditional tailor shop, for example, people want to be able to visit the shop and be measured and that is proving impossible.
“It is excellent news that the area is being revamped but putting traditional local businesses under financial duress was never part of the plan.”
The revamped Old Muharraq Suq, once completed, will boast bigger car parks and special facilities for the elderly and the disabled and new suq entrances and exits will offer even greater accessibility.
Work on the modernisation began last July with the council announcing a slew of measures, including new pedestrian walkways and sidewalks to be constructed at a cost of BD407,287.
A total of BD597,120 was allocated for beautification of the suq and expansion of greenery.
Relocation of water pipes was estimated to cost BD12,850 while BD20,280 was set aside for new lighting systems.
The project, which will stretch 620 metres on Shaikh Hamad Avenue, is being carried out by the Works Ministry, in partnership with the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (Baca).
Mr Al Naar is hoping traders can stay operational until the area fully reopens for business in September.
“The Old Muharraq Suq will be bigger and better than all the other GCC markets in appearance and will offer a full shopping experience to visitors from the area as well as tourists from further afield,” he said.
“However, if businesses continue to suffer we may end up having a beautifully-designed place with no traders or customers!”
It was also earlier revealed that Shaikh Abdulla Avenue, an extension of Shaikh Hamad Avenue, will be developed as part of the modernisation project. Works Ministry officials earlier told councillors that the area would soon have a multi-storey car park to solve parking issues.
Bahraini historian Hussain Al Mahdi had earlier highlighted the historical role of the suq which according to him dates back at least 240 years.
“Muharraq was Bahrain’s original capital prior to Manama and research shows that it was a main trading port alongside Jeddah, Basra and Aden,” Mr Al Mahdi said. “There is much more to the country’s oldest suq than many people realise, it’s a witness to Bahrain’s modern history as well as offering a glimpse of its old port market status.”
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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