Jun 26 2012 |
more articles from
|
Muscat International Airport contractors to be pushed to minimise delays: Minister
By Alex Adams Although there is 'good progress' in construction work at the new Muscat International Airport, contractors are to be pushed to mitigate any delays, according to H E Dr Ahmed al Futaisi, Minister for Transport and Communications.Touring the site six months after his first visit, H E Futaisi said that he had seen 'great changes' at the site, but noted concerns with project delays.
Speaking to Muscat Daily, the minister said that although there have been delays, hold-ups were 'expected at the initial stage,' adding that 'delays right now are not the major issue, progress is.'
H E Futaisi added that an eight-person government technical committee set up to oversee the project is 'working hard on pushing the contractors further to mitigate delays and to give recovery plans' regarding some of the delays on the part of some contractors.
The airport is also providing considerable support to local small and medium enterprises (SMEs), with more than 1,700 companies already signing contracts with major contractors to provide services and materials, according to the minister.
"Benefit to a large number of companies is a major part of the construction phase of this project. Once it is finished, there will be huge opportunities for maintenance, duty free outlets and others."
The minister added that only two packages - the cargo and catering buildings - have yet to be tendered, but they are both expected to be awarded before the end of this year.
H E Futaisi further stated that the terminal designs for regional airports, including Duqm and Sohar, have been 're-scoped and downsized,' with the tendering process to begin 'in a few months.'
He said, "We have almost finished with the detailed design of the terminal buildings and in a few months we will start the tendering process."
© Muscat Daily 2012
© Copyright Zawya. All Rights Reserved.
Post Your Comment