RESIDENTS will have a bigger say in projects and schemes drawn up for the Northern Governorate as they voice their ideas at a major conference today.

The Northern Municipal Council and Northern Municipality have for the first time invited the public to their annual municipal conference at the Marmaris Functions Halls in Daih at 8.30am.

They will discuss new housing plans and municipal services set up for the villages and towns in the governorate, put forth concepts on necessary facilities needed and give feedback on development projects and waterproofing schemes already carried out.

The event, which will continue until 2pm, will also include presentations by council chairman Ali Al Jabal, vice-chairman Sayed Ahmed Al Alawi, councillor Jaffar Shaban and municipality director-general Yousif Al Ghatam,

"All of the recommendations will be forwarded to the ministries concerned and government organisations to see if it is possible to convert them into reality," said Mr Al Jabal.

"People's ideas are precious and those behind them will be credited and possibly honoured in future if their proposals are accepted by the government.

"We want people to have a bigger say in what is being presented and this conference is an opportunity for everyone to showcase their ideas on how they want their areas and neighbourhoods to look like.

"Similar conferences were held in the past for people in the governorate, but this is the first time that we are allowing people to give us real feedback and hopefully it would be the beginning of new stronger partnerships with members of the public."

Mr Al Jabal said detailed presentations have been prepared by all councillors and municipality officials concerned to highlight future projects and schemes that are in the pipeline and others that have been already carried out.

"Nothing is final and the people have the right to direct us on new projects and schemes considering that services are being done for their own convenience in the first place," he added.

mohammed@gdn.com.bh