The Bahrain Cabinet on Sunday endorsed licensing a foreign company specialized in generating electricity from recycled household wastes, with special emphasis on the need to adhere to the nature-friendly requirements.
According to the Energy Minister Dr. Abdul Hussein bin Ali Mirza, a maximum of 32 megawatt will be produced within the project, which will help get rid of 390,000 tons of waste every year.
The Cabinet unanimously resolved that peaceful expression of opinion is guaranteed by the kingdom’s constitution and is appreciated by the official sides as long as it is exercised in accordance with the law and regulations, because it reflects the genuine civilization qualities of the Bahrain people.
The Cabinet also noted that doors have always been, and will remain, open for those seeking to bring about reform and build on the fundamentals outlined in His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s National Project.
“The successive initiatives are already there and all segments can participate in them in order to reach a consensus that meets the reform aspirations,” the Cabinet stressed, asserting that the government, which represents all social groups in the country, is keen to cooperate and coordinate with all constitutional institutions in order to realize popular expectations.
This came as Deputy Premier Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa chaired on Sunday at the Gudaibiya Palace the regular cabinet weekly meeting.
According to its Secretary-General Dr. Yasser bin Isa Al Nasser, the cabinet affirmed that the implementation of the recommendations featuring in the final report of the Bahraini Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI), required by HM King Hamad, will represent a major turning point in the kingdom’s history as it will pave them for even more landmark accomplishments that consolidate the national march and optimize achievements.
The Chairman of the Government team in charge of implementing BICI recommendations Deputy Premier Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak updated the Cabinet on what has been implemented so far, thanking all ministries and government departments for their exemplary cooperation for the sake of finalizing such a highly national mission.
The cabinet reviewed the needs of the kingdom’s urban sector, particularly cement, and endorsed the proposal submitted by the Ministerial Committee for Services and Infrastructure, chaired by Deputy Premier, to maintain its current price, instructing the same panel to come up with new alternatives so as to ensure the availability of cement at reasonable prices.
The cabinet reviewed the Foreign Affairs Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa’s report on the results of the 122nd GCC and 137th Arab League Ministerial councils’ meetings, wishing Kofi Annan every success following his appointment as Joint UN-Arab League Envoy on Syria.
On the implementation of National Strategic Master Plan for Bahrain, the Cabinet reviewed what has been implemented so far regarding the government’s programme to achieve sustainable urban development, especially regarding the government plan concerning housing areas, industrial zones, addressing the problem of traffic congestions, green zones and development of coasts and sea fronts.
The cabinet was briefed by the Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Minister Dr. Joma’a Al Kaabi on the progress of the National Ring Road and the Manama Ring Road projects, the consolidation of public transport as means to solve traffic jams and the government’s efforts to develop coast and sea fronts according to international standards, and increase green zones, as well plans to develop and rehabilitate Tubli bay.
The cabinet praised the efforts exerted by Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry to implement government programmes and plans and tasked it to submit periodical reports on the progress of the implementation of National Strategic Master Plan.
The Transport Minister was also requested to put forward a future plan to improve the public transport network in the kingdom.
The Cabinet also accepted that the Finance Minister will be in charge of the functions of Shareholder at the Bahrain Stock Exchange Company as required by the Royal Decree No. (60) for the year 2010, establishing it, which will enable it to enhance its capability to follow up its work more smoothly?
The Cabinet also endorsed the kingdom’s hosting of the Gulf Professional Skills Competition and instructed the Education Ministry to take the necessary steps and procedures, including the establishment of a special committee.
The role of the Manama as Capital of Arab Culture in boosting the kingdom’s tourism and rich cultural heritage and upgrading its status regionally and globally was also lauded by the Cabinet.
The cabinet reviewed a memo submitted by the Culture Minister Shaikh Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa on ways of enhancing the role of culture in the national economy and instructed the Ministerial Committee on Financial and Economic Affairs to take the necessary measures.
The cabinet approved the proposals of the Representatives Council regarding granting the security and National Guard officers the Chivalry Medal, like their BDF colleagues, improving the teaching of physical education at school through developing PE teachers professionally and increasing the number of hours per week, establishing a Parents Care Houses in the Central Governorate’s third constituency and the Muharraq Governorate, activating the role of the National Commission for Childhood, set up according to Edict (46) for 2007 and allocating a land plot to build a health Centre in Galali.