Sayed Hussein Al-Qassab
During its regular session yesterday, the Muharraq Municipal Council discussed the response received from the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, regarding the inquiry related to a property registered in the name of the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain as a marina for use in Diyar Al Muharraq. Sheikh Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Khalifa explained that the response came based on what was presented by the Department of Fisheries Resources, which stated that the property referred to comes within the national plan for the development of seaports, and that it is planned to Implementing a project to build an integrated port after approving the plan and allocating its budget.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Khalifa stated that the current situation in the Ras Raya port accommodates professional fishermen from the people of Deir and Samaheej, stressing that priority in the new port will be for professional fishermen from the people of the region. He also pointed out that the establishment of the new port will contribute to relieving pressure on Ras Raya port, and will not affect the national plan for port development.
In his intervention during the session, Muharraq Municipal Council member, representative of the sixth district, Fadel Al-Awd, stressed the importance of the fishermen of the people of Al-Deir and Samaheej having a clear and guaranteed share in the new port, stressing that the project is located in the part located between the two areas, on an area of 126 thousand square meters, which makes it the largest seaport in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
Al-Awd pointed out that the property was listed under the “investment” category, indicating that this trend may limit the benefit of the people unless the priority of local fishermen is taken into account. He explained that about 60% of fish production in the Bahraini market comes from Ras Raya port, which fishermen from Al-Deir and Samaheej mainly depend on.
