A survey of all Manama’s ageing buildings could soon be launched in a bid to prevent falling debris causing damage and injury.
The plan, which is set to be discussed by Bahrain’s Capital Trustees Board this week, follows on from an incident on Saturday (July 18) night when chunks of cement fell from the eaves above a sixth floor balcony of the Al-Jazira Hotel in Manama, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN).
Fortunately no one was injured, but four cars parked in front of the building were damaged by falling debris – sparking calls for action to prevent a repeat of the incident.
Capital Trustees Board acting chairman Mazen Alumran said they were taking the matter very seriously and would hold an emergency meeting to discuss the issue.
“It is high time we had a special team of engineers and volunteers prepare a database of all the old houses, shops and hotels in Manama,” he said.
“We are thinking of hiring a private company to conduct an assessment of some of the oldest areas of Manama, especially in the old suqare, and submit a report to us.
“There are several shops in the Old Manama Suqare that are over 40 years old and their structure and design does not meet current safety standards.
“The situation is becoming dangerous – fire engines struggle to navigate the suqare because of the narrow lanes and the design of the old buildings, which need to be remodelled.”
Once a database of all “at risk” properties is put together, then an action plan can be hashed out, Alumran said.
The Capital Trustees Board is already looking into remodelling run-down homes in the capital, following on from a parliamentary proposal that is set to be voted on by MPs in October.
The board has been given until the end of September to present its study and estimated costs for the work, which will include a list of eligible homes in the Old Manama Suq, Hoora, Gudaibiya, Jidhafs and Bilad Al Qadeem areas.
Meanwhile, a member of staff at the Al-Jazira Hotel told the GDN that general maintenance work was now being carried out to repair the damaged cornice and guests were being accommodated “as normal”.
“We will carry out general maintenance of the building that will involve painting and repairing part of the damaged structure,” said the supervisor, who did not want to be named.