New Lights Replace Al Ramli’s Dim Solar Lamps

For nearly five years, residents described the existing lights as being “like candles,” providing limited illumination and leaving some streets in darkness, particularly during cloudy weather when solar panels struggled to generate enough power.

Northern Municipal Council member Abdulla Ashoor said the lighting issue had been among the main concerns raised by residents since he joined the council, alongside other complaints including rainwater accumulation.

He said the problem became more noticeable during winter months, when reduced sunlight and cloudy conditions affected the solar lamps' performance. Maintenance challenges and the quality of the previous installation further contributed to the situation.

Following a request submitted by Ashoor, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning began work to replace the solar lighting system with a more powerful conventional network.

According to the latest progress update from the contractor, cable installation has reached 99 per cent completion, while work on replacing lighting poles and foundations has started across the suburb’s main avenues.

Around 20 new poles and foundations have already been installed, and the newly installed lights are now operational. In addition, five substations have been energised to provide power to the lighting control panels.

Ashoor praised the ministry’s cooperation and said the project is progressing towards completion, with residents already noticing improved brightness in areas where the new lights have been activated.