Barrier Removed and Al Eker Coast Cleaned

The barrier blamed for trapping rubbish and polluting the shoreline off Al Eker has been removed by the Ministry of Oil and Environment, and the area has been cleaned after residents raised concerns over worsening conditions along the coast.

MP Mohsen Al Asbool thanked the ministry for its quick and effective response after he referred the complaints to it and called for the structure to be removed as soon as possible.

The barrier had been built in the sea as part of a mangrove planting project carried out alongside the expansion of the Tubli Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Residents said the mangrove trees later died, while the barrier remained in place and caused rubbish to gather along the shoreline. They also reported that the seawater in the affected area had turned a reddish colour.

The structure had been placed around the planting site to protect the mangrove trees, but residents said it hindered the natural flow of water and led to waste and debris building up along the coast.