Sunday 07 / July / 2024
MUSCAT: The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology is executing over 240 projects under 19 programmes as part of the Oman Vision 2040, according to Dr. Saif bin Said Al Sinani, Director General of Planning at the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology.
He also said that the ministry is executing 35 investment projects and initiatives related to economic diversification, financial sustainability, private sector, investment and international cooperation.
“These projects and initiatives are aimed to attract investments and increase the revenues of the infrastructure for transport, logistics, communications and information technology sectors,” said Al Sinani.
He said that the projects and initiatives include construction of infrastructure in partnership with the private companies in transport sector for roads or specialised ports, operation of existing ports such as the ports of Khasab, Shinas, Al Suwaiq and Dhalkut, and provision of marine and land services among others.
Al Sinani reaffirmed that all these projects and initiatives aimed to attract local and foreign investments to generate revenues and are associated with key performance indicators that are measured regularly to achieve the priorities of economic diversification, financial sustainability and creation of new job opportunities.
The ongoing road projects across the Sultanate of Oman under the current five-year development plan amount to OMR890 million.
According to Dr. Saif bin Said Al Sinani, Director General of Planning at the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, “The priority is to focus on the successful completion of the road projects underway for the development of governorates as part of the sustainable cities project under Oman Vision 2040.
“In this regard, tenders have already been issued for completion of Al Sharqiyah Expressway and some road links of Al Batinah Expressway, completion of Adam –Haima-Thumrait Road, remaining works of Al Abailah-Al Fayadh Road in the Governorate of Al Buraimi and Raysut-Al Mughsayl Road in Dhofar Governorate.”
Al Sinani said that the ministry has already awarded construction tender for Dibba –Khasab road project and the work is expected to start before the end of the current year.
“To preserve and protect the road assets, 21 agreements on road maintenance in the various governorates have also been awarded,” he added.
New laws in marine sector
Al Sinani said that the ministry is in the process of executing over 30 draft laws and legislations associated with the priority of the governance of the administrative apparatus of the state, resources and projects.
He said: “The purpose is good governance and organisation of the sectors under the supervision of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology. The key laws and legislations on which the ministry is proceeding with is the updating of the marine law issued by Royal Decree No. 19/2023 Oman’s Roads Law, other regulations in the marine sector, draft law regulating communications and information technology, law on combating information technology crimes, and law regulating postal services, among others.”
Al Sinani said that the ministry is working in close coordination with the Ministry of Labour and other departments in the government sector and the private sector for training of the national cadre for working in the marine field, digital industry, 4th industrial revolution technologies, artificial intelligence and space science in cooperation with the specialized leading establishments.
He added: “This is in addition to creation of job opportunities in the various sectors under the supervision of the ministry including land transport, sea transport, and information technology, which is a top priority in Oman Vision 2040.”
(With inputs from ONA)
