Abu Dhabi’s public toilets are anything but a convenience

Announced in 2007, plans to build 60 coin-operated toilets were halted and shopowners say they have now fallen into disrepair.

An automated toilet on Electra street in Abu Dhabi. Ravindranath K / The National

ABU DHABI // Coin-operated public toilets have fallen into disrepair and are being used as rubbish grounds, shopowners say.

Abu Dhabi Municipality announced it would instal about 60 automated toilets across the city in 2007, but the project was abruptly halted.

Many of those that were built are now closed or broken. People leave their rubbish there, chew paan (betel leaves) and spit on the walls, and they are covered with adverts for accommodation, residents and shopkeepers say.

Mohammed Asghar works at a restaurant on Electra Street (Sheikh Zayed the First Street), just behind the old Etisalat building and next to one of the broken toilets.

“If you look at it, it tells its own story, as workers have reddened its lower parts by spitting on it,” Mr Asghar said. “People stand there and sell tobacco like paan, particularly on Fridays.

“We use the building’s toilets, as we don’t have any public restroom. We take keys from the guard and use them.”

At least four of the coin-operated toilets in the city centre have been broken or closed.

They are the one on Electra Street, and those in front of the taxi stand beside the Abu Dhabi bus station, behind Abu Dhabi Municipality’s parking area, and next to the community police point in the Tourist Club Area.

“I have never found it working ,” said Shakir Mohammed, who has lived in the Tourist Club Area for seven years. “I found them in other localities too, but none of them work. I see this as a waste of Government resources.

“I only see public toilets in parks but don’t see any in the city as people use restrooms in malls and mosques.

“Most of the public restrooms that are well maintained in the city are those are available in parks.”

The lack of public toilets in Abu Dhabi city has been a major problem for visitors, residents say.

The automated toilets were operational for only a few weeks in 2007. After that, many jammed due to a lack of maintenance and then abandoned. It cost Dh1 to use them.

At the bus station taxi stand, the automated toilet has been closed for years.

“I never found them functional,” said Badar Khan, a Pakistani taxi driver who has lived in the UAE for 30 years.

“They are rotting for so many years. There are problems for women as no toilets for them are available. Here they use the office toilet.

“Those who turn up to take the cabs don’t know that they can take keys for restrooms.”

Rafeeque Haider, an Abu Dhabi resident who was taking a cab to Dubai, said: “I know there is a restroom here but rarely use them due to uncleanliness. Giving one dirham is not a problem but it should be a hygienic place.”

A cab driver, Nawaz Khan, said: “We use Adnoc gas stations and mosque’s toilets all the time. Sometimes we use restrooms of parks if it is convenient to park there. Why would I spend Dh1 when I can do this?”

Abu Dhabi Municipality could not be reached for comment.