Muscat: Development projects on a massive scale have been ordered in the Musandam area of Oman to improve living standards of citizens in a region which was recently witness to demonstrations.
Top officials, including Saeed Hamoud Bin Faisal Al Busaidi, interior minister; Saeed Khalifa Bin Al Murdas Al Busaidi, governor of Musandam, and Major General Salim Bin Mussalam Qattan, assistant inspector-general of police and customs, visited Dibba to listen to the citizens’ problems and promised to take appropriate steps to address them.
The visit followed directives from Omani Ruler Sultan Qaboos Bin Al Saeed to initiate development and service projects in the region.
A statement by the diwan of the royal court stressed that the new projects being undertaken were meant to ensure a dignified standard of living for citizens as part of a wider development scheme extending to all parts of the country.
The statement noted that the royal directives seek to enhance the prosperity of the Musandam governorate on par with other governorates of the country through various new service and development projects to benefit citizens and residents alike.
Dr Ahmad Bin Mohammad Al Futaisi, minister of transport and communications, said the royal directives reflect the ruler’s commitment to the well-being of the people. “The projects include finalisation of steps to float a tender for the Daba-Lima-Khasab road projects,” he announced. “The 65-km long road includes seven tunnels and 18 flyovers,” he added.
The minister said that a study to facilitate the project in its entirety was expected to be completed in one or two years. He added that consultancy studies for developing the Khasab Port in the area would begin in the first quarter of next year.
Sultan Qaboos’ directives also include the construction of docks complete with commercial and tourist activities and facilities, including residences and other approriate amenities for receiving ship owners and commercial boats besides providing tug boats and organising training courses for those operating the complex.
Sultan Qaboos has also given orders to go ahead with the required expansion of Khasab Port during the next Five Year Plan from 2016-2020 to promote economic and tourism activities.
A large number of UAE residents travel to Oman’s picturesque Musandam area during holidays or for leisure trips.
