Work on new public beaches, parks and other amenities worth millions of dinars is scheduled to start in Bahrain over the next four years.

Municipalities and Urban Planning Affairs Minister Dr Juma Al Ka'abi said blueprints would be presented to the country's three municipal councils and the soon-to-be appointed Capital Trustees committee early next month, after the forthcoming election, reported the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

The four bodies will provide feedback on the projects, which also include coastal development, walkways and gardens, before the budget is finalised and presented to the Finance Ministry for National Assembly approval.

"We have a lot of projects lined up across Bahrain's four governorates over the next four years," Dr Al Ka'abi told the GDN.

"A number of the projects are matched with budgets over the two years, while the rest are in the planning stage and will be done in accordance with the 2017-2018 budget.

"The projects range from new beaches and coasts to walkways, gardens and parks in compliance with public demand, according to available space and necessity.

"Details of projects will be discussed with municipal officials in Bahrain's four governorates for their feedback, with possible modification and prioritisation."

Speaking exclusively to the GDN yesterday, Dr Al Ka'abi denied that political factors were hindering projects in the Northern Governorate, which is traditionally an opposition stronghold.

He said delays were due to other factors but pledged that stalled projects would be carried out.

"No budget gets dropped and whatever we can't do due to reasons that are beyond budgeting, like drawing up blueprints, acquiring property or any technicalities, get moved around," he said.

"We, other ministries and government bodies co-operate with councils on all matters and there are no projects that get carried out without their approval.

Rethink

"There are no politics behind delays and sometimes things need a rethink for the better before being implemented and that requires changes in arrangements, which take time."

His comments follow claims by the Northern Municipal Council last week that only a quarter of new homes, schools, heath centres and road networks planned in the Northern Governorate in the last four years have been completed.

The council criticised government ministries, saying only 72 of 280 projects were finished despite a budget being allocated and blueprints being drawn up.

It said the Social Development Ministry was the worst offender as it did not implement any of its 58 projects, while the Works Ministry was praised for its high implementation rate after completing 54 of 98 projects.

The council said the Housing Ministry completed seven of 19 projects, the Justice and Islamic Affairs Ministry carried out five of 71 schemes, the Education Ministry built one school out of 25 approved academic initiatives and the Health Ministry only completed one of six projects, while the General Organisation for Youth and Sports was working on one of three projects. - TradeArabia News Service