Trash crisis in the spotlight

Manama, July 14 (BNA): The Ministry of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning has lodged an urgent complaint with the Public Prosecution to sue a cleaning company which was under contract over a spate of violations. Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Minister Essam bin Abdulla Khalaf announced the lawsuit as he attended a meeting with the Parliament’s Public Utilities Committee, chaired by MP Adel Abdurrahman Al-Asoomi. The minister said that the new company was awarded the contract as it outbid its predecessor by BD 12 million, offering BD 42 million against BD54 million for its rival firm. "The new company has been awarded the contract which stipulates additional services which were not included in the previous agreement", he added. He said that an international consultancy firm was commissioned to draft the new contract to avert any loopholes, adding that the ministry will enforce the law in violators. Al-Asoomi said that the meeting focused on the causes of the trash crisis and the measures which were undertaken by the ministry to dispose of the garbage and protect the environment in the northern and southern governorates. He announced that another meeting would be convened within a month from now to be updated on developments of the trash crisis and the measures undertaken so far. Al-Asoomi extended thanks to His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa who issued expedite directives to dispose of the trash and ensure citizens get premium services.