Muscat: The environment ministry has fined leading Omani construction companies for violating environment laws and not renewing their environment approvals from the ministry.
Oman’s Minister of Environment and Climate Affairs, Mohammad Bin Salim Al Toobi, has ordered suspension of work for two leading construction companies Galfar Engineering and Contracting and Desertline at their worksites in Bahla town, about 190km northwest of Muscat.
Both companies have been asked to suspend work for a month. “They have also been warned that the suspension could be slapped again if they don’t take corrective measures and continue to violate the law,” the ministerial order said.
The ministry has also suspended work of a quarry company in Liwa, about 280km north of Muscat, for carrying out work without environment approval.
Al Toobi said that the ministry had intensified inspections of quarries. “Our inspection teams have caught about 19 quarries violating environment norms that affect soil and vegetation in this region,” he added.
He warned that the ministry would further tighten inspections and ensure that those who violate environment norms or who do not get environment approval will be severely punished.
