Ashghal signs 4 contracts to develop infrastructure of citizens’ sub-divisions

The Public Works Authority ‘Ashghal’ held on Tuesday, 3 April 2018, a press meeting during which it reviewed the plan of infrastructure projects currently being implemented, projects to be completed this year, as well as projects that will start during 2018 and 2019.

During the press meeting, four new construction contracts were signed for the Infrastructure Development project for Citizens’ Sub-Divisions in Al-Wukair South, at a total value of QR 1.5 billion, to serve 3,508l and plot. A Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) was also signed with Al-Shabhana Environmental Association, in an aim to protect the plant environment in Qatar.

The press meeting was held in the presence of H.E. Dr. Eng. Saad bin Ahmad Al-Muhannadi, President of the Public Works Authority, Eng. Mohammed Masoud Al-Marri,Infrastructure Affairs Director, Eng. Saoud Ali Al-Tamimi, Roads Projects Department Manager, and a number of managers and officials from Ashghal, in addition to representatives of the awarded companies, and Mr. Abdullah bin Khalid Al-Khater, Co-Founder Al Shabhana Environmental Association.

On this occasion, Dr. Eng. Saad bin Ahmad Al-Muhannadi said that signing the contracts today is in line with Ashghal’s projects plan developed at the end of 2017, and said: “H.E. the Prime Minister & Minister of Interior, Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, has given directives to add QR 1 billion to cover a larger number of citizens’ land plots, raising 2018’s total approved budget to QR 10 billion, which is the biggest budget ever dedicated for serving land plots.”

H.E. Ashghal President noted that H.E. the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior instructed to develop clear plans and determine transparently the commencement and completion dates of the development projects of citizens’ land plots according to Ashghal’s plan. He also stated that, by the end of 2024, the number of citizens’ land plots to be served with infrastructure will be 3 times the number of plots served with infrastructure in 2013, which is a clear indication of the government’s care and support to serve the citizens of Qatar.

Eng. Mooza Al-Suwaidi, from Ashghal’s Roads Projects Department, presented Ashghal's plan for the implementation of infrastructure development projects, including the projects under constructions, projects to be completed in 2018, as well as projects that will start during 2018 and 2019. Projects that are due to be completed during 2018 include projects serving 5,644 land plots in existing areas, 837 land plot in citizens’ sub-divisions, in addition to grading works for about 1,800 plot. These projects will provide a total of 351 km of drainage networks, 225 km of road works and 239 cycle and pedestrian paths.

Infrastructure projects that are currently being implemented in different areas were also reviewed, including BaniHajer, Rawdat Egdaim, Izghawa, Al Froosh, Al Kharaitiyat, North of Al Nasseriya, the Industrial Area, Muaither West, and Al Shamal City. Most of these projects are planned to be completed between Q4 of 2018 and Q3 of 2019,and will serve a total of 10,656 land plots. As for projects that will start in 2018, they include projects serving 15,021 land plots in existing areas and 3,508 land plot in citizens’ sub-divisions in Al-Wukair South. These projects will provide a total of 1,507 km of drainage networks, 695 km of road works and 1,830 km of cycle and pedestrian paths. Infrastructure projects that will commence in 2019 were also mentioned.

H.E.Dr. Eng. Saad bin Ahmad Al-Muhannadi, President of Ashghal, signed the new contracts for Infrastructure Development Project for Citizens’ Sub-Divisions in Al-Wukair South, with the representatives of the awarded contractors.The first contract included package one of the project, which was awarded to the joint venture of “UrbaConTrading & Contracting Co.” and “InfraRoad Trading & Contracting”, at a value of about QR 512 million. This package will serve 820 land plots.

The other three contracts included Package two, three and four of the same project, and they were awarded to “Quality Based Structures International”at a value of over QR 947 million. The three packages will serve 2,688 land plots.

The project is scheduled to commence during this month and is due to be completed by Q2 of 2020. It will provide an integrated infrastructure for the south of Al Wukair, as it includes the construction of 166 km of sewage networks, and 310 km of storm water and ground water networks. The project will also provide a total of 172 km of internal and external roads, and 27 intersections to connect Al WukairSouth with the surrounding main roads. This is in addition to providing safe access to all future residential and commercial establishments in this area. Works also include providing parking bays, lighting poles and directional signage to enhance traffic safety in the area.

On the sidelines of the press meeting, the Public Works Authority signed MoC with Al Shabhana Environmental Association represented by Mr. Abdullah bin Khalid Al-Khater, Association Co-founder, which aims to contribute to protecting the plants and the Qatari Environment in general.

The areas of cooperation include the conservation of wild trees, including the Qatari National Tree. This will be achieved through the cooperation between the two parties to study the environmental impact of the projects carried out by Ashghal, and to benefit from the experience of Al Shabhana Association in the field of environment and environmental impact assessment of project areas where there are existing wild trees.  This is in addition to cooperation in raising the awareness of the community on the importance of maintaining wild road, and reducing the blocking of flood streams.

About signing the MoC, H.E. Dr. Eng. Saad bin Ahmad Al-Muhannadi, President of Ashghal, said that the authority seeks to activate the role of voluntary associations, especially in the field of environment, and that signing MoC today is an initiative from Ashghal to encourage Al Shabhana Environmental Association and contribute to the protection of plants and the Qatari environment. Mr. Abdullah bin Khalid Al-Khater, Al Shabhana Environmental Association Co-founder, thanked Ashghal for the continuous cooperation with the Association, and said that signing MoC today is a result of this cooperation. He noted that the aim of MoCis to raise the community’s awareness and enhance their role in environmental conservation.