MUSCAT -- The Majlis Addawla discussed the proposal to establish National Bureau of Statistics and Information. The session was chaired by Dr Yahya bin Mahfoudh al Mantheri, Chairman. Dr Al Mantheri praised the announcement to hold Municipal elections. He said that this will further boost the democratic process in the country. He said the nation has undergone a new phase of reforms and the process continues to gain momentum, under the wise guidance and direction of His Majesty.
"The governance in Oman has been steadily moving towards a model of governance where the participation of people has been increasing steadily. Nationals have been taking part in forming management of public affairs." He added that the decision to hold Municipal elections, therefore, will definitely boost the democratic process in the country and that the Royal Decree No 116/2011 promulgates Municipal Councils Law. The attached law shall govern the Municipal Councils and allow all means of active participation in nation-building and systematic attention and proposals for its citizens.
Dr Al Mantheri wished for the success of this new experience and added that it promotes the values of the partnership in governance upon which is placed the modern state of Oman. Dr Al Mantheri said that the Majlis wishes the experiment success and calls on all candidates and voters to participate in the process and get involved in the various phases of elections based on the criteria of efficiency and merit and disallow any narrow interests which are incompatible with Omani values.
He also hailed the directives of His Majesty the Sultan for setting up of the first military academy to train engineers and other technical experts. The proposal for the "establishment of National Bureau of Statistics and information" was discussed during the session. The proposal will be submitted by the Economic Committee to the Council of Ministers, after including the observations of the honoured members, before submitting it.
The decision to postpone discussion on the proposed amendment "the draft on Press and Publications Law and other laws related to media in the Sultanate," submitted by the Committee of Culture and Media was taken, to another future sessions and the formation of a joint committee of the Committee on Culture and Media and the Legal Committee for jointly wording of legal texts.
© Oman Daily Observer 2012
