Southern Municipal Council Raises Concerns Over Lighting Gaps in New Housing Areas

TDT | Manama

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The Southern Municipal Council has drawn attention to deficiencies in street lighting across newly developed housing areas, warning that shortcomings in coordination between relevant authorities are affecting residents’ safety and quality of life. Members stressed that housing projects cannot be deemed complete unless essential infrastructure, including lighting networks, is fully operational.

Coordination

During the council’s eleventh meeting of the fourth legislative term, municipal member Mohammed Hussain Darrajhig hlighted recurring complaints from residents regarding delays in addressing lighting requests. He pointed to overlapping responsibilities between the Ministry of Housing, the Electricity and Water Authority and other service bodies, noting that unclear procedures during the transfer of responsibility often result in delayed action and unresolved requests.

Implementation

Darraj explained that although new programmes and administrative decisions have been introduced, their practical impact remains limited due to complex procedures and weak coordination between agencies. He stressed that residents should not bear the consequences of institutional delays, particularly in areas where homes have already been occupied.

Municipal member Ali Al Shaikh focused on implementation challenges during project execution, emphasising the need for stronger technical supervision at construction sites. He noted that insufficient on-site oversight can lead to errors in the placement of lighting columns, resulting in poorly lit streets and dark areas within residential neighbourhoods.

Responsibility

Council members stressed the importance of clear and structured handover procedures between ministries and service providers. They called for defined responsibilities and timelines to ensure that lighting networks are inspected, approved and activated without delay.

The council affirmed that addressing lighting gaps in housing areas is a core municipal responsibility directly linked to public safety. Members called for improved coordination and accountability to ensure that future housing developments are delivered fully prepared for residents.