Safar Denies Report On Jaber Bridge Contract

KUWAIT CITY, May 2

The Ministry of Electricity and Water (MEW) is in the process of specifying a unified electricity tariff in the GCC countries, reports Al-Anba daily quoting sources. Sources confirmed the ministry is keen on finding solutions to a number of problems, especially those related to the technical aspect of the project. Sources said the ministry has started coordinating with its counterparts and other concerned authorities in the GCC states, in line with the agreements made in the recent meeting of the GCC undersecretaries and technicians. Sources clarified that in case the project does not push through; it is still beneficial as the GCC nations will have an estimate of the unified electricity tariff. However, sources pointed out the matter must be dealt with in a serious manner, considering the project is in line with the economic system of the GCC countries. In a related development, Assistant Undersecretary for the Networks Distribution Sector Eng Jassem Al- Linqawi has instructed the employees of the Extensions Administration and the affiliated departments not to delay any of the transactions to avoid complaints from the public. He also asked them to ease the procedures and ensure smooth flow of work in the administration.

Denied 
Meanwhile, former Minister of Public Works Dr Fadhel Safar has vehemently denied a report published in a local daily on the alleged irregularities in the awarding of the Jaber Bridge contract to a certain company, reports Al- Seyassah daily. In a recent press statement, Safar clarified he has not granted interview to any media outfit regarding the issue; hence, the report was erroneous. He reiterated that the ministry carried out all the necessary procedures to ensure the proper implementation of the project, asserting the supervisory authorities were aware of the procedures taken at the time. In another development, the Ministry of Health (MoH) intends to procure more than 250,000 bottles of iodine and potassium in liquid and tablet forms as a precautionary measure amid fears of a possible leakage from the Iranian nuclear plant due to the series of earthquakes that hit the country recently, reports Al- Seyassah daily quoting Assistant Undersecretary for Pharmacy and Medical Equipment Affairs at Dr Omar Al-Seyyid Omar. Omar disclosed the ministry currently has 60 million iodine tablets in its warehouse, indicating that tablets are for adults while the syrup will be for children. He said the Radiation Leakage Prevention Committee has demanded for additional stock of iodine and potassium as part of preparations for a possible radiation leakage.

© Arab Times 2013