POLICE have agreed to find a solution to claims that Interior Ministry staff have been parking irresponsibly and blocking access to the homes of residents in Segaiya.

The problem has grown increasingly worse since barricades were set up around its headquarters at the Police Fort following last year's unrest.

Councillors say the ministry does not have enough parking space inside its compound and as a result staff were clogging up the roads outside people's homes.

A petition was submitted to the Manama Municipal Council demanding action after a family was reportedly unable to get their car out of their garage during an emergency due to being blocked and were unable to go inside the Police Fort to ask the person responsible to move their vehicle.

An urgent meeting was held between council chairman Majeed Millad Al Jazeeri and area councillor Fadhel Al Qaidoom with the ministry's general co-ordinator for governorates Brigadier Hassan Al Sameem last month who promised to taken action.

But, Mr Al Qaidoom says nothing has happened since then and claimed the problem was getting worse.

"When we sought urgent action we meant urgent action because Segaiya residents are angry with the Interior Ministry's employees blocking their garages and routes in and out of home," he said.

"Weeks have passed since we were promised action and nothing has been done to stop the nuisance and thankfully neighbours in an incident last week managed to get an emergency case to Salmaniya Medical Complex after a family was unable to get its car out of the garage.

"Residents can't even go nearby the ministry gates to ask for help in moving the cars due to heavy security with policemen there not showing an understanding, urgency or willingness to speak."

Mr Al Qaidoom, who is also the council's services and public utilities committee chairman, said worshippers at the nearby Segaiya ma'tam and mosque had also been affected.

"The barricades are in front of the Segaiya ma'tam and mosque and in the back its ministry employees parking so where can worshippers go," he asked?

"The situation is getting worse day by day and today we have angry residents, who knows in future what people will do out of frustration."

An Interior Ministry spokeswoman said that the problem was being looked into by senior ministry officials to find solutions.

"We are concerned about the situation regarding Segaiya residents and have met with those complaining and are looking for solutions."

mohammed@gdn.com.bh