A contract to clean up and rehabilitate Tubli Bay will soon be put out to tender, it was announced on Sunday.

Companies will bid for a contract to remove the expanse of sludge which has seeped into the bay from the Tubli sewage plant over several years, said a report in the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication.

They will have to employ a method chosen by officials on Sunday, out of five options presented by environmental consultant Posford Haskoning Environment Gulf (PHE Gulf).

The Tubli Bay steering committee met at the Works Ministry in Hoora to select the method deemed to be the most efficient and environmentally viable.

Contractors will have to tackle the sludge using a system that involves walling the sludge in with sand and treating it with substances designed to break it down.

'The method we selected would contain the residue within the confines of sand walls in addition to metal plates,' said Works Ministry Under-Secretary and committee chairman Nayef Al Kalali.

'This will ensure that the contaminants don't spill further into the bay.'

It is hoped that the move will restore mangrove swamps to the area once it is cleaned up, said Al Kalali.

'We believe that this option is the best environmentally for the bay and we ensure everyone that work will be done according to international standards,' he said.

'Committee members have been urged to complete all formalities, as we plan to tender the project to contractors as soon as possible.'

Al Kalali said that the committee was dedicated to selecting the best bid, which they believe would help restore the bay back to its original state.

Committee member and Manama Municipal Council financial, administrative and legislative committee chairman Sadiq Al Basri said that the committee's innovative approach to the problem reflected its dedication.

'The concern we are seeing from the government and people for the immediate clean-up and rehabilitation of the bay reflects the importance it has to everyone,' he said.

Present at the meeting were senior officials from the Works Ministry, Municipalities and Agriculture Affairs Ministry, the Industry and Commerce Ministry, the Manama and Central municipal councils, the Public Commission for the Protection of Marine Resources, Environment and Wildlife and Bapco. - TradeArabia News Service