King visits Southern Governorate, launches Khalifa Town

His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa today paid a visit to the Southern Governorate, where he launched the "Khalifa Town", a milestone which combines the Southern Town housing projects, linking Askar, Jau, Al-Dur and their suburbs. His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister attended the ceremony.

HM the King was saluted on his arrival at the venue of the celebration by a group of school students. He was also welcomed by Interior Minister Lieutenant-General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al-Khalifa, Southern Governor His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Ali bin Khalifa Al-Khalifa, Housing Minister Basim bin Yacoub Al-Hamer, Deputy Southern Governor Faisal bin Rashid Al-Nuaimi and Southern Municipality director-general Asim Abdullatif Abdulla.
HM the King delivered a speech, expressing delight at visiting the Southern Governorate, where trailblazing fathers and forefathers sowed the seeds of human civilization, laying the foundations for a wide-ranging development strides in the homeland.
"We yearn to a promising future, deriving strength from our long-standing and glorious heritage, from which we drew lessons of leadership and modern statesmanship", he said, paying tribute to loyal citizens who spared no effort to conserve national heritage.
He commended the effort of towns and suburbs in the Southern Governorate, stressing Bahrain’s determination to continue the dedicated march of progress and prosperity unabated. He hailed landmark strides development across the Southern Governorate, as well as all towns of Bahrain in light of aspirations and directives to continue initiatives aimed at serving loyal citizens and ensure their well-being.
HM the King expressed delight at inaugurating "Khalifa Town", a promising city named after His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa. The milestone, which combines Askar, Jau, Al-Dur and their suburbs, is in recognition of HRH the Premier’s landmark achievements and valuable contributions through his dedicated service to the nation.
HM the King paid tribute to loyal citizens for their unwavering allegiance, honourable stances, support to national security and dedication to protecting achievements which, he said, bolsters social fabric which thrives on human values and genuine traditions.
HM the King said that the goodwill and reform have prevailed in Bahrain, stressing the crucial importance of national unity, which represents a shield that protects the homeland. The Southern Governor expressed, on behalf of citizens in the Southern Governorate, utmost happiness about HM the King’s visit, thanking him for naming the big housing project after His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa in tribute for his outstanding role and high status in the hearts of all Bahraini people. He stressed the pioneering development steps in the Southern Governorate which brought about a quality leap in services and projects thanks to the wise leadership of HM the King and the support of HRH the Premier and HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister.
The Southern Governor pointed out the ongoing development projects in the Southern Governorate, commending the efforts of the security officers, under the leadership of the Interior Minister, in protecting achievements and maintaining security. He also underlined keenness to boost partnership between the Southern Governorate, the Police Directorate and the municipality to carry out the royal directives and cater for the needs of citizens.

The Housing Minister expressed thanks and gratitude to HM the King for naming the project after HRH the Prime Minister, describing the project as a key step in the ministry’s implementation of the royal order to build 40,000 housing units. He recalled HM the King’s laying of the cornerstone of East Askar project in 1964 which paved the way for other projects nationwide. He paid tribute to the leadership for their keenness to boost citizens’ welfare and ensure family stability.

He said, Khalifa Town, which will accommodate after completion 54,000 people, reflects the new approach in designing housing towns. He stressed that the future of social housing remains secure thanks to HM the King’s care as well as the support, good planning and management of the housing issues by the government. A documentary was presented on the history of the Southern Governorate and its achievements in the prosperous era of HM the King. The inauguration ceremony was attended by senior members of the royal family, ministers, senior officials and renowned figures from the Southern Governorate.

Source: BNA