Speaker praises government's support to citizens

Manama, Sept. 14 (BNA): Speaker of the Council of Representatives, Fawzia bint Abdulla Zainal, has lauded the effective cooperation between the Council of Representatives and the government, and the latter’s positive response to lawmakers’ demands on alleviating the burden on the citizens in the face of the impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The speaker extended deepest thanks and gratitude to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa for his sound directives and unwavering keenness to care for the citizens’ interests, and provide their necessary needs. She praised the Cabinet’s resolution, during today’s session, stipulating that the government will pay electricity and water bills and municipal fees for each citizen's first home for the next three months, and directives to the Central Bank of Bahrain to urge banks to take into account the citizens affected by the pandemic in a way that does not affect liquidity and financial suitability. Such wise approaches, and other similar initiatives, take the interests of the nation and the citizens into account, and add to the kingdom’s efforts to reduce the burdens on citizens during the COVID-19 pandemic, she added. She highlighted the Representatives Council’s appreciation of the interest, cooperation and positive response of the government, led by His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, and supported by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister.