Muscat: Changing orders in the cost of government projects being implemented in Oman amounted to OMR one billion and five hundred milion within three years. It was confirmed by members of the Majlis Al Shura in a recent meeting with Chairman of the Oman Tender Board Rasheed Bin Al Safi Al Huraibi.
Al Huraibi confirmed that the most prominent change orders came in projects such as the Ministry of Education building, which was assigned a cost of OMR 11 million riyals and doubled the amount to 28 million riyals because of 13 change orders.
Adding to that, airports projects in the Sultanate topped spending compared to other development projects, says Al Huraibi.
Figures have made it clear that the Ministry of Transport and Communications has had the highest rate of change orders over the past year with a whopping 48 change orders.
It was followed by the Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources with 46 change orders.
Change orders resulted in delayed projects and increased cost. The cost of some projects rose to 100% of the original contract price.
Sulaim Al Hakmani, the head of the economic committee of Majlis Al Shura told Gulf News that it was obvious why government projects were late, pointing the finger to changes in orders.
The Tender Board should be monitoring and supervising such change orders more effectively, he added.
Members of the Majlis Al Shura have demanded that a tender board be present in all governorates to increase transparency and facilitation.
Local media pointed out the total costs incurred because of change orders could pay the salary of all government employees for four years.
