Muscat Municipality examines the possibility of the inclusion of duplication of Ghala -Nizwa road in the ninth five-year plan.
- Designing two units to control odor in Misfat plant in Baucher according to the highest technical standards and the latest findings of modern science in this regard.
- Postponing the discussion of programs and services required for the elderly.
- Looking for other modern means of public transportation such as tram; etc.
Yesterday morning the Municipal Council of the governorate of Muscat held its first meeting of the third year for the first time; headed by H.E. Eng. Mohsen bin Muhammed Al-Sheikh as the Chairman of Muscat Municipality, the Chairman of the Board, as well as its members, and His Excellency Sheikh Rashad bin Ahmed Al Hinai, the undersecretary of the Ministry of Sports Affairs, who presented the ministry`s statement to the members about the ministry`s efforts in sports and the major challenges it faces.
The statement reviewed the major programs and activities provided by the ministry which aim to care for the youth, invest their talents and abilities, develop a sense of community in young people and enhance the value of solidarity and cooperation through the individual`s services to his community.
The statement also touched on the main obstacles and challenges facing the sports sector in the Sultanate; namely, the limited land space in Muscat governorate, which constitute an obstacle to the creation of new sports facilities, in addition to the absence of new housing schemes in Muscat governorate of spaces dedicated to sports facilities, in addition the lack of walking trails (sports-for-all) in most states and territories of Muscat in a safe way. In addition some youths` malpractices were highlighted, such as practicing sports on green areas near city streets and roads.
The Wastewater plant in Misfat
The Council has been briefed on the pledges of Hayah Water Company concerning the establishment of a wastewater plant in Misfat. The above- mentioned company has designed two units to control odor in Misfat plant with the highest technical standards and the latest findings of modern science in this regard so that the first unit will be dedicated to work while the second one will remain as a reserve. These units are similar to other units that have been built in other plants of the company which is still under construction or in their operation stage in this period. In its speech, the company has given guarantees in the event of any malfunction in the plant. It confirmed the possession of the technical staff specialized in the operation and maintenance of all the units that have been established in the plant.
Making of Ghala Rd.- Nizwa – a two-way road.
In response to the will of the residents of Misfat area to duplicate Ghala Rd. – Nizwa, the Board considered addressing the competent authorities to incorporate the draft duplication of Ghala Rd. - Nizwa within the ninth five-year plan and to give it a priority in the plan projects so as to coincide with the implementation of the establishment of the wastewater plant in Misfat city of Bauchar state as the street will be affected by the increasing traffic density at the start of establishing the plant as well as the traffic congestion witnessed in this street for being the meeting place of those coming from the Interior Ministry and the trucks in the industrial area in Misfat, which could lead to endangering the lives of travelers due to the increased traffic.
Services for the elderly
The Council has also approved the delay of debating the programs and services required for the elderly until the completion of the feasibility study of the whole aspects of the topic and seeking the opinion of the elderly and considering their experiences and their needs in the light of its discussion of the recommendations of the health, social and environmental affairs. The Council also agreed to address the Muscat Municipality to increase the cadre of buildings` inspectors to control the irregularities related to the causes of the spread of larvae and foci of breeding insects harmful to human health, and the emphasis on the control of buildings under construction and the list of their obligation not to assemble any water for any purpose to avoid being hotbeds for the spread of mosquitoes. Besides, intensifying awareness campaigns about malaria using the latest means to reach and influence the public. Also, the importance of the coordination between the Ministry of Health and Muscat Municipality to make (form) joint regular campaigns, and provide the Council with a timetable for these campaigns, and give periodical reports about their achievements.
Recommendations
On the other hand, the Board has approved the report of its eleventh meeting of the second year for the first term, which included number of recommendations signifying the Board`s approval to address the Ministry of Transportation and Communications to organize public transportation in the Sultanate and coordinate with the concerned authorities to develop other means of public transportation (such as tram, etc.) and initiate waiting stations for passengers on a number of the main streets, and address the Omani National Transportation Company for the possibility of including a proposal to use two-level buses in future plans.
An agreement was reached to amend the name of the "list of waste management" to be "hygiene list ", and a proposal for upgrading this regulation to the level of a law to be issued by a royal decree to cover all parts of the Sultanate with the need for coordination with relevant authorities to include the proposed law for all local orders and related regulations to health, public hygiene and determine the terms of reference for each point accurately.
The Council also discussed the draft of the proposed contract to be concluded between Oman Airports Management Company and Muscat airport taxi drivers, with which a number of agencies were addressed to review and express their opinion. In a related matter, the Council did not agree to adopt the draft regulation proposed for imposing sanctions on the drivers` violations reported by Oman Airports Management as they contradict the local commands.
In addition, the change of scheme of Seeh Moghit to Al-Rehab Neighborhood was referred to the Public Affairs Committee, where the Council has reviewed a number of received letters, including business plans in Muscat governorate and the offices of auditors` services at Muscat Municipality in different areas.