Muscat: Oman has no intention of disinvesting in power distribution as the country's topography makes it difficult for private companies to cope, according to National Economy Minister Ahmad Bin Abdul Nabi Macki.
"We take it as our responsibility to distribute power to every corner of the country," he said in reply to a question while announcing the 850 million riyal (Dh7.9 billion) deficit budget for 2011. He pointed out that mountains, desert and canyons don't allow private companies to accept the task of distributing power in Oman. "Power generation will continue to be privatised."
He also said that the earlier plan by the government to disinvest a 25 per cent stake in Oman telecommunications company (Omantel) was put on hold.
Talking about railway plans, he said the process was in place and the government was also talking to the neighbours (to connect the GCC network). However, he stressed that there was no possibility of railways taking off in Oman for the next two years.
The recent census carried out in the country showed that the population of citizens eligible for higher education had risen dramatically, but Abdul Nabi Macki ruled out any new government-backed university. He added that 130 million riyals were set aside in the budget to give internal scholarships to students seeking admission to private higher education institutes.
