Cabinet orders urgent action to resolve sewage, flooding crisis in Sabah Al-Ahmad City

The Cabinet has directed relevant government bodies to urgently address the ongoing crisis of sewage and rainwater accumulation in Sabah Al-Ahmad Residential City, following severe flooding during the March 7 incident.

Residents of the area have long complained about worsening pollution, sewage lakes, and infrastructure failures, reports Al-Qabas daily.

The following are the key developments:

• An investigation committee will identify and hold accountable officials from the Ministry of Public Works and the Public Authority for Roads and Land Transport for negligence and failure to respond to government recommendations.
• The Government Performance Follow-up Agency criticized the lack of action in identifying pollution sources, prosecuting illegal connections to drainage networks, and the delay in linking treated water from the Umm Al-Hayman plant to the city.
• Water samples confirmed sewage pollution, high bacterial levels, and illegal discharges into the drainage system.
• The Ministry of Public Works reported ongoing efforts to monitor, clean, and drain water through new pump and pipe systems in coordination with other agencies.
• A detailed environmental study will be conducted to assess soil and water contamination and explore treatment options.
• Officials warned that delays in permanent connection contracts for other new residential areas (e.g., Al-Mutlaa and South Abdullah Al-Mubarak) could replicate Sabah Al-Ahmad’s crisis.

The government aims to develop a comprehensive, long-term solution to protect public health, prevent environmental damage, and improve infrastructure resilience.