Closure of liquor outlets on  Reef Island gets MPs’ nod
The shutdown of liquor selling outlets on Reef Island in the Capital received a parliamentary nod recently.
The decision comes after a group of five MPs presented a proposal last March, demanding to cease the selling of alcohol beverages on the island, as they claimed to have received multiple complaints from the residents of the island.
The proposal, which also insisted on halting “illegal” construction works on Reef Island, was voted on during Parliament Council’s weekly session on Tuesday.
The council reviewed the replies of several Governmental authorities, including Industry, Commerce and Tourism Ministry, Interior Ministry, Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry and the Capital General Secretariat.
Various replies received stated that the sale of alcohol beverages on the island was legal, yet, it was announced that one violating outlet was detected and the matter was now being progressed through legal channels.
At the same time, the authorities confirmed that the existing buildings on the island were constructed legally and one project was stopped, while permissions to initiate works were obtained.
Speaking before the council on Tuesday, one of the presenters, MP Jamal Dawood said, “The issue is widening as authorities are avoiding taking responsibility and swapping it among them. The replies show that no one wants to take responsibility. They advised to file a case and wait for the judicial order.”
“Residents paid money and invested on this island. Whatever the developer has done by opening bars and constructing new buildings is against residents’ morals and contracts. It’s a residential area. We demand the Ministries to be transparent and take their responsibilities. If no one gave permit to the developer to sell alcohol on the island, then who did? Whose responsibility is it? This matter is highly rejected by residents,” Dawood added.
Speaking on similar lines, fellow MP Mohsen Al Bakry said, “What is the categorisation of these areas? We didn’t receive an appropriate answer, whether it’s residential, commercial or investment areas. Residents want to be relieved, as selling alcohol on the island invites further troubles.”
Al Bakry claimed, “The developer isn’t cooperative with residents or MPs.”
“They say they’re supported by higher authorities in the Kingdom. They can’t be above the law,” Al Bakry noted.
Former Councillor and present Parliamentarian Ali Al Muqla also spoke about the matter saying, “The developer illegally changed the scheme of the area. He blocked sea fronts that residents paid to enjoy. The developer should be held accountable for not informing the residents of the intention to block the view in front of their homes.”
MP Adel Al Assoomy commented, “Investors should get all their rights in Bahrain, as it was constitutionally ensured. But at the same time, they should commit to the law.
If we allow them to overlook the rules and regulations of the country, others will behave in the same way and things will be chaotic. The Kingdom has a long experience in welcoming investors and considering our reputation in this regard I call upon the related parties to take this matter as a priority.”
Meanwhile, Manama Municipality Director General Shaikh Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, who was present during the session, opined that “all buildings on the island are permitted.”
Anyway, this didn’t prevent the MPs from voting for the proposal, which will be soon referred to Shura Council for further discussion.
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