Five main options to clean and rehabilitate Tubli Bay were outlined today and the clean up and rehabilitation plan is expected to commence in winter.

The methods presented at a meeting at the Ministry of Works today outlined ‘at site’ and ‘off site’ biological, chemical and physical treatments; dredging; containment and a combination of these to target specific areas of the Bay.

“We have been presented with various options today and have narrowed these down to these five,” said HE Nayef Omar Al-Kalali, Undersecretary of Public Works Affairs at the Ministry of Works and Chairman of the Steering Committee tasked to resolve environmental pollution in the Tubli Bay area.

“We have achieved a significant milestone with the identification of these options and our next steps are to work with the environmental consultant, Posford Haskoning Environment Gulf (PHE Gulf) as they prepare a final action plan,” he added. 

A sub-committee has been formed to review and work on outstanding tasks as part of preparations to implement the most appropriate of the clean up methods in the action plan.

“The completion of the remaining tasks by the sub-committee will provide comprehensive and conclusive results so that the most appropriate options can be selected.  We don't expect work to begin before winter following the completion of processes and procedures prior to the appointment of the clean-up contractor."

Central Municipal Council acting chairman and Tubli councillor Abbas Mahfoodh said that the committee’s work showed that it was committed to its plans to clean and rehabilitate the Bay as instructed by the Cabinet.

“The emphasis being placed on Tubli Bay is a measure of a collective concern for the Bay and we are confident that the right steps are being taken to restore the bay back to its original status.”

Manama Municipal Council financial, administrative and legislative committee chairman Sadiq Al Basri said that the committee’s work shows that there is an advancement in the clean-up and rehabilitation plan.

“There is a vision and the committee now has a detailed understanding of the options it has and we expect that the presentation by the consultant of the action plan will spearhead the way forward for the physical clean up to begin.” said Mr Al-Basri.

Present at the meeting were senior officials from the Ministry of Works, Ministry of Municipalities and Agriculture Affairs, the Ministry of Industry & Commerce, the Manama and Central Municipal Councils, the Public Commission for the Protection of Marine Resources, Environment and Wildlife and BAPCO.