Muharraq port payment probe sought

Boat owners at Muharraq Port were allegedly asked to pay government fines into a personal account on a money-transfer app, prompting a call for an inquiry into how the payments were collected and transferred to state accounts.

Muharraq Municipal Council chairman AbdulAziz Al Naar urged the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture to investigate the payments and clarify their legal and financial basis.

“Government fines should be paid through official payment channels and under government financial rules,” he said, calling for records showing who received the money, how much was collected and where it went.

Mr Al Naar also questioned the practice of fining boat owners who have used the port for more than 20 years but have been unable to formally register their vessels.

He said registration was opened to only a limited number of owners before being closed, leaving some with no alternative place to keep their boats.

Mr Al Naar said Marine Resources should provide suitable berthing arrangements and called for fair enforcement, clear registration rules and official payment channels for all fines.

He had previously raised concerns about conditions at Muharraq Port, including poorly maintained boats, vessels being kept in unsuitable locations and unclear records of boats and their owners.

He also questioned why land leased by Marine Resources to an investor years ago remains fenced off and unused despite the shortage of space and services at the port.

Mr Al Naar said the site could help organise the port and provide additional space for boat owners.

“Enforcing the law does not mean ignoring people’s rights,” he said.