Ongoing Suffering in Hama Due to Sewage Flow in the Orontes River
November 10, 2024, 10:02 am

Ongoing Suffering in Hama Due to Sewage Flow in the Orontes River

نواعير حماة

The city of Hama is enduring continuous suffering due to the flow of sewage into the Orontes River, a sight that residents have become accustomed to, which has become a daily reality for them.

This tragic situation exacerbates the residents' hardships throughout the seasons, with no final solution from the authorities under the regime, who have been unable to address the worsening problem.

Additionally, visitors to the city are faced with the sight of polluted water and the smell of sewage in Al-Assi Square and near the Al-Jasria waterwheel by Um Al-Hassan Park, which tarnishes the tourist appeal and repels visitors.

According to the "Al-Watan" newspaper, which is close to the regime, the new Governor of Hama conducted a tour of the area and witnessed the problem firsthand, prompting him to hold an urgent meeting with the relevant parties to discuss emergency solutions and find a comprehensive resolution to alleviate the suffering of residents and make the city more attractive to visitors.

It was noted that the responsible authorities started implementing temporary solutions, as the General Company for Engineering Studies, in cooperation with the Sewage Company, began wrapping the sewage line with a metal shell to temporarily reduce pollution.

In a statement by Mohammed Al-Haj Hassan, head of the Studies Division in the Technical Services Department, he mentioned that a comprehensive technical study has been prepared to solve the problem permanently at an estimated cost of 432 million Syrian pounds, including the installation of new pollution-resistant pipes.

The sewage problem is not limited to Hama alone; most Syrian provinces under regime control suffer from neglect of sewage infrastructure, making the environmental and health situation catastrophic.

In many areas, sewage is directly dumped into rivers and valleys, resulting in water contamination and deteriorating quality of the surrounding environment, increasing the risk of disease outbreaks, which warns of a long-term health disaster.

This crisis has negatively impacted historical and natural landmarks that were once symbols of beauty and major tourist destinations in Syria. Places that have long been associated with the memories of Syrians and the identity of their regions have now become polluted, leading to a decrease in visitor numbers and adversely affecting the local economy.

The distortion of rivers and natural landmarks reflects the neglect by the Syrian regime's government toward these areas and the lack of serious initiatives for their restoration, provoking public discontent among residents.

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.