‘Solve bachelor problem in Khaitan’

KUWAIT CITY, Dec 22: MP Hesham Al- Saleh submitted a proposal to suspend the issuance of building permits to the owners of residential buildings if they will not allocate the basement as parking area. MP Osama Al-Menawer has proposed increasing the number of roads for entering and exiting Khaitan. He also suggested assigning the Public Authority for Agriculture Affairs and Fish Resources (PAAAFR) to carry out comprehensive maintenance works in the parks in Khaitan, establish more play grounds and develop the drainage systems in the area. He called for the formation of a joint committee consisting of the representatives of the Ministry of Interior, Municipality, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and Public Authority for Manpower (PAM) to solve the bachelor housing problem in Khaitan. He also recommended the full renovation of old schools based on the modern standards.

Chairman of the parliamentary Housing Affairs Committee MP Fayez Ghannam Al-Jomhour disclosed that the committee on Wednesday discussed the problems in South Khaitan and West Abdullah Mubarak. He said the representatives of the Public Authority for Housing Welfare (PAHW), Ministry of Public Works, Public Authority for Roads and Transportation (PART), and Kuwait Municipality attended the meeting. He added the Municipality is ready to issue building permits for the beneficiaries of Khaitan housing project once it receives the relevant letters from PAHW, Ministry of Electricity and Water, Ministry of Public Works, and PART. He confirmed that PAHW has agreed on coordinating with the Municipality in this regard.

On the problems in West Abdullah Mubarak, he revealed the residents in the area worried about the rumors spread by what he considers the real estate mafia. He affirmed that work on the provision of necessary services in the area is ongoing. He went on to say that representatives of the Ministry of Public Works told the committee that the drainage networks are functioning well, in addition to the drainage project in Kuwait City which will serve a number of residential areas.

While disclosing that the project will be completed in 2027; he said the Ministry of Electricity and Water informed the committee that the tender for water supply was settled on Dec 11, 2021 and it is expected the area will be provided with water in January 2022. The lawmaker added the ministry also informed the committee that the tender for electricity supply was settled on Nov 28, 2021 valid of one and a half year.

On the other hand, member of the committee MP Saadoun Hammad said he was surprised by the press statement of Al-Jomhour. He pointed out the agenda of the meeting included two issues – West Abdullah Mubarak and South Khaitan. He added Al- Jomhour jumped to the second issue, totally ignoring the first one. He added that to his surprise, Al-Jomhour mentioned the West Abdullah Mubarak in his press statement even if the panel did not discuss the entire issue in Wednesday’s meeting. He enumerated the problems in West Abdullah Mubarak like drainage, water supply and electricity. He said the two drainage systems in the area are temporary and their capacity does not match the number of houses, which causes a lot of problems like the spread of foul odor. He stressed the need to invite the representatives of those residing in the concerned residential areas to the upcoming meetings of the committee.

Regarding South Khaitan, he revealed the meeting did not result in any new developments. He pointed out the representatives of the concerned public institutions continued to make promises without any action. He quoted the director of PAHW as saying that the authority will not allow the issuance of building permits unless Kuwait Credit Bank secures the funds needed to grant housing loans to citizens. He added that KD101.3 million is needed for the housing project in South Khaitan and KD1.3 billion for Mutlaa project. He asserted the presence of the government is required in addressing these problems, so he has to wait for the formation of the new government. By Saeed Mahmoud Saleh Arab Times Staff