DOHA: A series of four new contracts worth QR2.56bn, related to the construction and infrastructure of the New Doha International Airport (NDIA), were awarded to various contractors, NDIA's steering committee (NDIASC) announced yesterday.
The contracts were signed by NDIASC Chairman Abdul Aziz Al Noaimi. A QR1.798bn contract to pave the airfield, runway and associated systems was awarded to the international joint venture contractor Sinohydro-Gamuda-WCT of China and Malaysia.
Another contract for QR717m for airside and landside roads was awarded to a local firm, Midmac Contracting. A QR46.4m job for the labour compound infrastructure was won by another local firm, Al Jaber Engineering. A third local entity, Qatar Al Attiyah International Group won a QR2m contract for diving inspection services.
At a ceremony, the chairman said: "The NDIASC is pleased with the pace of progress of this project and by the fact that significant contracts are being won by Qatari companies."
Over the last eight months, the NDIASC has awarded eight contracts worth QR2bn, related to various works at the upcoming airport. The largest among these was for the dredging and reclamation of land required for the airport. The chairman yesterday toured the new airport site and witnessed the various works being executed.
The new terminal will have 40 gates which will facilitate several aircraft to be handled simultaneously. The airport, when commissioned will be able to handle the Airbus A-380, for which Qatar Airways is one of the launch customers. The airport is billed to be one of the biggest in the world.
The contract won by the Sino-Malaysian joint venture is for design detailing, procurement, construction, start-up and commissioning of airfield facilities, including two runways, three full-length parallel taxiways, all airfield lighting and electrical substation equipment.
The contract also includes a tunnel providing access to the midfield area and a detention ponds system to manage airfield drainage. The project is slated for completion by September 30, 2008.
The contract for airside and landside roadways and parking won by Midmac Contracting includes design detailing, procurement, construction, start-up and commissioning of airside and landside roadways. The landside roads system includes several bridges and interchanges providing access to the airport.
The airside roads system includes all roadways within the airport's security perimeter. It also includes a temporary realignment of the Ras Abu Abboud Road which will facilitate construction activities at the airport.
The diving inspection services contract won by Qatar Al Attiyah International Group is for the provision of marine engineering inspectors to carry out underwater inspections during the construction of the airport platform, currently being undertaken by NDIA's reclamation contractor. The fourth contract for the labour compound infrastructure will see Al Jaber Engineering conduct design detailing, construction, start-up, commissioning and operation of the temporary construction labour compound for the NDIA project.
© The Peninsula 2005
