Ministry working to streamline land distribution processes

Muscat: A total of 2,366 plots of residential land have been distributed to Omani citizens across different parts of the Sultanate over the first half of 2019, according to the Ministry of Housing.
Roughly 261 plots were distributed among citizens of the wilayat of Khasab, in addition to 150 plots in the wilayat of Al Duqm, 950 in the wilayat of Dhank, 675 in the wilayat of Al Buraimi, 108 in the wilayat of Bahla, and 222 in the wilayat of Nizwa, according to figures shared on the ministry’s official Twitter account.
Director of the Land Department in the General Directorate of Housing in Muscat Governorate, Suliman Al Fazari, told Times of Oman that the period of time taken to obtain residential land varies in different governorates. “It depends on the availability of the lands.” he said.
Speaking about the difficulties facing the land distribution process in Muscat Governorate, Al Fazari said: “There is a lack of land. We don’t have enough plots of land to correspond with the number of land applications.”
“The ministry, in cooperation with the relevant authorities, is discussing the idea of providing residential alternatives.
“Recently, there was an announcement pertaining to the establishment of a residential neighborhood in the wilayat of Barka. This is one of the practical solutions that will benefit citizens who have requested to obtain land,” he added.
According to the ministry’s website, applicants for residential land must be Omani citizens over the age of 23. However Omani citizens who are married and are the sole earners in their families, can apply to obtain residential land from the age of 21.
Residential plot distribution has always been an important issue for Omani citizens, which is why the Ministry of Housing has issued several statements assuring Omanis that it is working to find solutions regarding land distribution.
Applicants need to request for land allocation in the governorate in which they reside and must not have been granted residential land or social housing before. Those who do not own land are given priority.