*** ----> Ministers reach out to citizens in Duraz | THE DAILY TRIBUNE | KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN

Ministers reach out to citizens in Duraz

ManamaThe government, under the leadership of His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, allocates great importance to the needs of the Duraz and its neighbouring villages, Minister of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning, Essam Khalaf, and Minister of Housing, Bassim Al Hamar said.

While paying a field visit to the Duraz village on Thursday, the ministers stressed the government’s keenness on reaching out to the needs of the citizens and translating them into work programmes. 

The inspection visit follows HRH the Prime Minister’s directives to meet the local villagers and to be informed directly about their needs concerning service development projects. 

Northern Governor, MPs, Northern Municipal Council Chairman and members, representatives of the Ministry of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning, and the Ministry of Housing, as well as dignitaries of the Duraz village, accompanied the ministers. 

The inspection visit covered Duraz Port, the Traditional Market project on the coast of Abu Sobh and the Northern City project.

Commenting on the move, Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Minister said that the visit aims to identify the needs of the Duraz and its neighbouring villages and to include them in the Ministry’s upcoming projects. 

“The first sewage network was established in the Duraz village, and the Abu Sobh coast is the oldest of its kind in the region,” said the minister noting that the Ministry will complete all projects and shortcomings highlighted by the citizens. 

He also revealed that work on the Budaiya Highway revamp project will commence soon.

On the Duraz Port, the minister said the government plans to set up a fully-equipped and integrated central port that serves all the villages in the Northern Governorate.

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Housing Minister, on his part, affirmed that the visit provided an opportunity to identify the housing needs of Duraz and its neighbouring villages, and to prepare necessary plans to meet the needs of the local citizens within the currently-implemented projects, particularly the Northern City project.

He also stressed that a comprehensive report will be submitted to the Cabinet.

Meanwhile, Northern Governor, Ali bin Al-Shaikh Abdul-Hussein Al-Asfoor stressed the importance of giving priority to urban development projects, which, he said, “requires linking development projects to the Master Plan and the Government Action Plan.”

“Duraz village really needs greater attention due to its high population density,” he said adding that the Northern Governorate had prepared a report in this regard. 

The report highlights the need to establish gates for open areas, allocating a lot for the “Village Centre”, revamping the sea front of the Bu Sobh Port for fishermen, establishing a traditional market, revamping the Duraz Park and removing slums.

He also stressed that the inspection visit should be followed up with a clear work plan and schedule to implement the projects, highlighting the importance of speeding up the on going projects. 

He said that the Northern Governorate would continue following up on the villagers’ needs through the “We Are All Partners in Peace” Initiative.

MP Jalal Kadhim Al-Mahfoudh said that the visits of the two ministers strengthens the local citizens’ confidence in the officials.