In order to facilitate prompt coordination and prevent accidents, the Manama Municipal Council will study the possibility of building overbridges to connect related buildings of schools and government organisations located on either side of thoroughfares. The proposal stems from the example of the bridge that connects the two buildings of the American Mission Hospitals on either side of the road in the Capital.

Many schools, governmental offices and organisations have two buildings opposite each other on thoroughfares. Employees of these buildings have to cross the busy roads or streets for work. The council has suggested the construction of bridges to help prevent accidents and facilitate coordination between workers.

“Council chairman Murtada Bader has agreed to form a committee to study the possibility of constructing bridges connecting organisations such as the American Mission Hospital buildings,” council secretary Jassim Redha said following the inaugural meeting of the fourth session yesterday. “The meeting approved the issuance of permits to establish two new hospitals in Zinj – a four-storey diabetes hospital by Dr Faisal Al Mahroos and another by Mubarak Al Fadhel."

Redha said that the council also approved a kiosk in the Bilad Al Qadeem Park. The decisions will be forwarded to the Minister of Municipalities and Agricultural Affairs, Ali Saleh Al Saleh, for approval.
The meeting also reviewed the council work in the previous three sessions and issued directives to accomplish projects such as the redevelopment of the Central Market.

In the meeting, Bader also stressed a work strategy for the council during its final session. “The council agreed to find a site for trucks to load fruit and vegetables at the Central Market. We discussed a number of other decisions which had been approved in the previous sessions.”

He said that the council  also reviewed the formation of a new legal and financial affairs committee under Majeed Milad, a technical committee under Saqid Rehma, a services and public facilities committee under Tariq Al Sheikh and a public relations committee headed by Mohammed Mansoor.

“The council also approved the setting up of foot bridges in Juffair Community Centre, the Jahroomiya Community Centre and a Lebanese restaurant in Gudaibiya because of the heavy traffic in the areas,” he added.
The fourth session will also focus on gardens and parks as well as beautification projects. The council will also gear up to attract investment.

Redha said Bader might not contest the next municipal elections because he wanted to pave the way for the young blood to assume responsibility. “I hope he will keep in touch with the council through Al Wefaq Society and continue to help us as a consultant to help resolve various issues.”