THERE are no plans to repair roads damaged by saboteurs in the Northern Governorate despite growing complaints from motorists.

Works Minister Essam Khalaf announced in April work on roads had been suspended in troubled neighbourhoods until acts of vandalism stopped, saying fixing them was a waste of money as they would most likely be targeted again.

But the Northern Municipal Council has been inundated with complaints from residents in the governorate demanding councillors intervene to ensure highways scarred by tyre burnings and arson attacks are fixed.

"It is a waste of time and effort pressurising the Works Ministry to fix roads in troubled areas as even if officials agree it will be on the condition that we pledge it won't happen again," said council vice-chairman Sayed Ahmed Al Alawi.

"This again puts us in an embarrassing situation as we can't control what goes on in the street - the government is unable to do so, so how can we?"

Mr Al Alawi, who is a senior member of opposition group Al Wefaq's Municipal Bloc, said the ministry was already continuing with new projects in the governorate that did not involve repairing roads.

"The ministry is working on sewage and drainage networks, besides work on pavements and central reservations, but roadworks are not being carried out and we acknowledge people's pleas that their vehicles are being damaged but we can't do anything now to help them," he said.

"The scars on roads are all over the governorate. Two noticeable examples are Budaiya and the Wali Al Ahd highways."

Mr Al Alawi urged people to be patient until the situation cooled down, saying the problem would be worse in the governorate because it was the country's biggest.

"We don't guarantee anything and we can't say roads will be repaired within months when they are being damaged, something that could go on for a very long time," he said.

"Unfortunately until things cool down, motorists will have to cope with bumpy roads."

Works Ministry officials could not be reached for comment.

mohammed@gdn.com.bh