Muscat municipal council discusses the statement of social development and water carriers quotation
And submits the allocation of beaches for families, the proposals made by the Ministry of Education, and the keeping the name of “Muscat Market Park” to the Public Affairs Committee.
By correspondent & photographer: Ibrahim al-Hosny
His Excellency, Engineer Sultan ben Hamdoon Al-Harthy, head of the Muscat Municipality, has stated, as president of the seventh meeting of the municipal council for the first year of the first period, that the municipal council is concerned with the development, advancement and service of public interests in the governorate of Muscat. He added that the council is implementing its plans and programs in order to cover different areas of the governorate, as far as the implementation of strategic and developmental projects is concerned, all in accordance with informed plans and scientific and practical standards that match the recent developments in the different areas of life.
His Excellency asserted that the orders and decisions of the municipal council are to serve the public interest and place it as top priority. He indicated that the system for municipal service is heading towards wider scopes with regards to the accomplishment of daily transactions and the provision of services in lesser time with higher quality and accuracy.
Social welfare
The general department for social welfare at the Ministry of Social Development has given a visual presentation of the significant efforts and roles played by the department in the field of comprehensive care, which includes at least 25 diverse social services. On top of these services are: social insurance, child and family welfare, rehabilitation centers, Omani women associations, the role of nursemaids, health and treatment support for families, assistance with the Hajj duty, the services provided during catastrophic events and climatic instability, the role played by minors rehabilitation and care centers, control of beggary and drugs. All in addition to the cooperative roles played by other institutions in the assistance and support for a prosperous life for the citizens, besides other points discussed by the members during their meeting.
Income and investment
The general department for income and investment in the Muscat municipality has also given a presentation on investments in the municipality, future plans, and a number of developmental projects for the establishment of general markets, livestock markets, used-car markets, and a number of other projects to be submitted to the authorities and investment funds.
Scarcity of garages
The council meeting has also discussed the scarcity of garages in the governorate of Muscat and the implications of such scarcity on vital structures and commercial areas, such as traffic congestions and random parking, which disturbs traffic flow and undermines the civil aspect of the city. The backgrounds to this issue were discussed in addition to the efforts of the general department of technical affairs in the Muscat municipality, in cooperation with the Ministry of Housing, in order to solve this problem by providing additional garages to match the increasing urban and commercial growth in the Muscat governorate.
The department of building licenses in the Muscat municipality has submitted a number of proposals in coordination with the concerned authorities for planning. On top of these proposals were ending licenses for change of use from residential to commercial, commercial residential or commercial, ending the licenses that allow higher stores in residential buildings, and establishing new spaces inside the structures to be used as public garages through demolition of uninhabited buildings and the allocation of plots to build multi-floor garages.
The members have submitted a number of proposals in this regard and the council has recommended submitting the issue to the Public Affairs Committee for elaborate study and recommendation.
Proposals for the service of the governorate schools
The members have also discussed the proposals submitted by the municipal council member, the representative of the Ministry of Education regarding the connection of schools with main roads, and the establishment of speed signs wherever necessary. In addition to coordinating with the Ministry of Housing to allocate plots inside new and existing residential structures with no schools to build new schools and apply careful choice of these locations so that they are appropriate for serving residential blocks and are away from valley canals. The proposals were submitted to the Public Affairs Committee.
Water carriers’ quotation
With regards to the vitality of the water sector and the existence of many areas in the governorate of Muscat where drinking water is not serviced, and there is reliance on water tanks to transfer drinking water, the council discussed the issue in order to reach a standard and satisfactory quotation for water carriers. The quotation will be agreed upon by tanks owners and beneficiaries. The council proposed the establishment of a committee incorporating all the concerned parties such as the owners of carriers, the citizens and the concerned authorities in order to study the quotation issue which was submitted by the council to the Public Affairs Committee.
Beaches for families
The municipal council has agreed on the recommendations of the Public Affairs Committee with regards to the allocation of beaches for families. On top of these recommendations were assigning local affairs committees in the states the task of specifying suitable beaches for families for excursions and recreation only whereas football playing is forbidden. The Muscat municipality was assigned the task of specifying special places for football playing; such places are to be organized and furnished for that particular purpose in order to reduce football playing on beaches. The municipality was also assigned the task of allocating plots in spacious parks for the playing of football and other youth sports. In addition, the Committee further recommended the establishment of a team incorporating many government entities to create appropriate controls that organize beach going and examine actual needs. The council also agreed on the recommendation of the Committee to keep the name of “Muscat Market Park” instead of “Siah Al-Harmal Park”, which suits the current nature of the area as far as the economic and urban development and the current lack of Harmal plants in the area are concerned.
The council has in addition agreed to submit the proposal to increase the stone headland in the Qariat state to the Ministry of Agriculture and Aquaculture. Such increase will help protect the area against sea floods, prevent the extension of sand on the seashore because of the ebb and flow, and preserve the natural depth of water in the harbor.
Beggary
The council has examined the recommendations given by the Committee for Health, Social and Environmental Affairs concerning beggary and agreed to address the Ministry of Social Development to reestablish a team to combat this phenomenon. Such team will be permanent and will incorporate many representatives from competent government entities capable of preparing plans and studies to address the issue of beggary. The level of management of the issue by the Ministry will be raised from the level of departments to the head department, and will be handled by a competent staff. The team for the combat of beggary will receive training and orientation, and awareness programs will be prepared to inform citizens and residents in the area of the threats of beggary.
The council has further agreed to address the judicial authorities to implement the relevant legislations and adopt drastic punishments for beggary.