25 May 2016
Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) has unveiled three new community projects in its concession area.

New medical equipment and appliances will be provided for the recently completed hospital in Shaleem, also financed by the Company, the construction of a livestock market in Haima and the building of a public majlis in Muqshin.

The Company signed three Memorandums of Understanding with the Walis of Haima and Muqshin and the Ministry of Health committing to the three projects today (Wednesday, 25 May) at a ceremony at PDO's facility in Marmul, southern Oman.

PDO Oil South Director Director Suleiman Al Tobi said: "PDO is proud and privileged to support the communities in which we operate and this latest social investment package highlights our ongoing commitment to provide important public amenities.

"Each tranche of this latest funding will meet a particular need of the people in Muqshin, Haima and Shaleem and contribute to improving the quality of their lives.

"We consult extensively with the citizens and authorities in our concession area to assess their needs and target our social investment efforts to help where and when we can."

PDO has already worked with the Ministry of Health on the expansion and upgrading of Shaleem Health Centre into a 14-bed hospital to provide in-patient and emergency services and will now extend that support with funding for medical apparatus, such as beds, ventilator and resuscitation kits, wheelchairs and emergency trolleys.

Dr Khalid bin Mohamed Al Mashaikhi, Director-General of Health Services in Dhofar, said: "The Ministry of Health expresses its gratitude and appreciation to PDO, a company that is pioneering social partnership through its execution of various social investment projects."

The livestock market, which will also include a slaughterhouse, will be the first in the wilayat of Haima and is expected to boost the local economy. PDO has already funded two similar livestock markets in wilayats Shaleem and Al Jazir which are heavily used by residents. 

The Wali of Haima, His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Shihab Al Balushi, said:
"PDO is at the forefront of companies in community development, both in the Al Wusta Governorate as well as other areas of the concession.

"These facilities will provide a service to the people of the wilayat of Haima and neighbouring areas."

PDO has also funded a number of village majlises in its concession area which have been well received and are also used for various functions such as weddings, funerals or general meetings.

The Wali of Muqshin, His Excellency Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Muslim Al Hamar, said: "We express our gratitude and appreciation to PDO for this generous gesture in funding the construction of a public majlis in Niyabat Mursdoud.

"The signing of this agreement is a further proof of PDO's commitment to support the local community pursuant to its corporate social responsibility. We have always known PDO through its various social investments, as this is a translation of its ethos of: "Our success is hinged on the success of the communities where we operate.""

About
Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) is the major exploration and production company in the Sultanate. It accounts for about 70% of the country's crude-oil production and nearly all of its natural-gas supply. The Company is owned by the Government of Oman (which has a 60% interest), the Shell Group (which has a 34% interest), Total (which has a 4% interest) and Partex (which has a 2% interest). Gas fields and processing plants are operated by PDO exclusively on behalf of the Government.

For further information please contact the PDO External Affairs Directorate: David Brown, Tel: 2467-3977; E-mail: david.DB.brown@pdo.co.om.

© Press Release 2016