Page 295 - Bahrain Gov annual reports(V)_Neat

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PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

(By Mr. Malcolm Lccs, M.B.E., Director of Works)
General. 1955 showed a continued increase in departmental activity, expenditure for the
year amounting to Rs. 95,21,000 against Rs. 73,18,000 in 1954. The labour force remained
fairly constant throughout the year, the number of men on the pay roll averaging about 1,600.
Towards the end of the year applications for work from better class artizans were noticeable,
no doubt attracted by the decision to pay regular men for rest-days, and a number of good men
returned to the Department who had left some years ago in search of higher wages elsewhere.
Shortage of overseers and supervisors however continued to be a severe handicap and precluded
any further increase in the labour force.

The cost of works continued to increase not only by reason of greater labour costs but also
on account of the steady rise in cost of imported materials. At the same time as an indirect
result of the relaxing of building licences in U.K., deliveries of many materials became very
protracted. Steel and items containing steel were most difficult to obtain and it was necessary
to place orders at least 12 months ahead.

Despite the political unrest in the State labour troubles fortunately were insignificant and
relations between the Management and Workers were cordially maintained. The only stoppage
was one of a small section of carpenters due to a misunderstanding.
The standard of workmanship generally was well maintained, despite the shortage of first
class artizans and the New Palace and T.B. Hospital are examples of the good results that
can be achieved by local craftsman with good leadership. There was little change in technique
other than the introduction of sulphate resisting cement for foundation work and of plastic
floor tiles which, from the initial trials made, would appear to have a promising future in
Bahrain.

New Buildings. The New Palace at Quadabiya was brought to final completion by the
installation of the automatic electric lift, the first in Bahrain.

Once again the Medical Department claimed the greater part of the building output during
the period under review, total expenditure on medical works amounting to Rs. 35,50,000.
Work on the new Women’s Hospital was stepped up and at the end of the year all the buildings
constituting Phase I, i.e., the Maternity Hospital, the Nurses Home, the Kitchens, Stores,
Messes and buildings for ancillary services were up to roof level. The 50-bedded T.B. Hospital
was brought to completion by the end of the year and opened by H.H. Shaikh Sulman bin
Hamad Alkhalifa shortly afterwards. At Hedd the building of a two storied outpatients and
ward block was commenced as the first stage in a scheme for modernising the Womens Clinic
there. For the Education Department a second extension of the Secondary School, comprising
a block of six classrooms was put in hand, as well as extensions to the Boys Schools at Jidhafs,
Suq A1 Khamis and West Rifaa. New Boys Schools were also built at Samahij and Hedd the
former being a replacement of the old school which had become beyond economical repair.
For Girls’ Education, the new school at Quadabiya, containing 15 classrooms and a large
assembly hall, was completed and opened in September, together with a three storeyed house for
Mistresses. In addition extra classrooms were built at the Aisha, Khadija and Hedd Girls’
Schools. For the Technical School a large mechanical and electrical engineering workshop of
7,500 square feet floor, space was provided, with an annex containing offices, tool stores,
changing rooms, lavatories and ablutions.

Other buildings completed or substantially completed during the year included a new
Traffic Office and Motor Transport Garages for the State Police, together with five bungalows
for senior police officers, new offices for the Agricultural Department at Budaiya, eight three-
roomed staff quarters at Suq A1 Khamis and West Manama, new market buildings at Suq Al-
Khamis, a vegetable market at Muharraq and two large blocks of flats at Jufair,—one for
occupation by Power Station staff and the other for staff engaged on the new Port project at
Jufair.