31 July 2011
Conrad Prabhu - MUSCAT - A contract for the first of a series of grain storage complexes is due to be awarded shortly, signalling the start of a key phase in the implementation of the Omani government's food security strategy. A complex of warehouses at Barka is expected to be built in the first of a network of strategic stockpiles of essential staples due to be established at key locations around the Sultanate.
A number of Omani engineering firms are bidding for a contract to build the food storage complex at Barka, on behalf of the Public Authority for Stores and Food Reserves (PASFR). The Authority is overseeing the implementation of the country's food security strategy.
The successful bidder will win a contract to build a vast storage complex comprising six air-conditioned warehouses each maintained at temperatures ranging from 18-24 degrees centigrade. In addition, there will be three 'dry' warehouses operated at ambient temperatures. All nine warehouses will boast a total floor space of around 50,000 sq metres.
According to officials, the pre-engineered structural steel warehouses are designed for the storage of palletised bagged commodities, such as rice, wheat and sugar. Also planned alongside the the sheds are guardrooms, facilities for staff accommodation, and a helipad.
Well-known consultants Simon Engineering & Partners are the design and construction supervision consultants for the project. An 18-months timeframe has been specified for the completion of the complex.
Next off the block for construction is a similar complex of grain warehouses planned in the Wilayat of Al Kamil W' al Wafi in the Sharqiya region. In all, nine warehouses are envisaged as part of this complex. Ibn Khaldun is the design engineering and construction supervisor for the Al Kamil component of the national strategic food stockpiles initiative.
In addition to Barka and Al Kamil, four other locations will host storage complexes as part of the country's strategic stockpiles initiative. Warehouse complexes are also planned at Sohar, Salalah, Nizwa and Rusayl. The six locations have been so chosen to ensure easy access to population centres in the event that an emergency distribution of food supplies becomes imperative.
Significantly, a total of 52 warehouses are envisioned as part of the national network of strategic food stockpiles. In addition to staples like rice, wheat and sugar, the warehouses also likely to stock emergency supplies of commodities such as cooking oil, powdered milk, lentil and tea.
The strategic stockpiles will serve as nerve centres of a wider food security infrastructure that will also include proposed grain terminals and silos at Sohar and Salalah ports. Greek agro-engineering firm TAME has been awarded a contract by PASFR to build a 200,000 tonnes capacity wheat silo at Sohar and a 100,000-tonne capacity silo at Salalah.
The Port of Sohar is also in discussion with the majority government-owned Oman Flour Mills for the development of a major Grain and Dry Bulk Foods Terminal at the industrial port. The terminal, whose scope and capacity is still the subject of evaluation, is proposed to be built on a reclaimed plot designated as part of the Future Container Terminal in Sohar Port.
Conrad Prabhu - MUSCAT - A contract for the first of a series of grain storage complexes is due to be awarded shortly, signalling the start of a key phase in the implementation of the Omani government's food security strategy. A complex of warehouses at Barka is expected to be built in the first of a network of strategic stockpiles of essential staples due to be established at key locations around the Sultanate.
A number of Omani engineering firms are bidding for a contract to build the food storage complex at Barka, on behalf of the Public Authority for Stores and Food Reserves (PASFR). The Authority is overseeing the implementation of the country's food security strategy.
The successful bidder will win a contract to build a vast storage complex comprising six air-conditioned warehouses each maintained at temperatures ranging from 18-24 degrees centigrade. In addition, there will be three 'dry' warehouses operated at ambient temperatures. All nine warehouses will boast a total floor space of around 50,000 sq metres.
According to officials, the pre-engineered structural steel warehouses are designed for the storage of palletised bagged commodities, such as rice, wheat and sugar. Also planned alongside the the sheds are guardrooms, facilities for staff accommodation, and a helipad.
Well-known consultants Simon Engineering & Partners are the design and construction supervision consultants for the project. An 18-months timeframe has been specified for the completion of the complex.
Next off the block for construction is a similar complex of grain warehouses planned in the Wilayat of Al Kamil W' al Wafi in the Sharqiya region. In all, nine warehouses are envisaged as part of this complex. Ibn Khaldun is the design engineering and construction supervisor for the Al Kamil component of the national strategic food stockpiles initiative.
In addition to Barka and Al Kamil, four other locations will host storage complexes as part of the country's strategic stockpiles initiative. Warehouse complexes are also planned at Sohar, Salalah, Nizwa and Rusayl. The six locations have been so chosen to ensure easy access to population centres in the event that an emergency distribution of food supplies becomes imperative.
Significantly, a total of 52 warehouses are envisioned as part of the national network of strategic food stockpiles. In addition to staples like rice, wheat and sugar, the warehouses also likely to stock emergency supplies of commodities such as cooking oil, powdered milk, lentil and tea.
The strategic stockpiles will serve as nerve centres of a wider food security infrastructure that will also include proposed grain terminals and silos at Sohar and Salalah ports. Greek agro-engineering firm TAME has been awarded a contract by PASFR to build a 200,000 tonnes capacity wheat silo at Sohar and a 100,000-tonne capacity silo at Salalah.
The Port of Sohar is also in discussion with the majority government-owned Oman Flour Mills for the development of a major Grain and Dry Bulk Foods Terminal at the industrial port. The terminal, whose scope and capacity is still the subject of evaluation, is proposed to be built on a reclaimed plot designated as part of the Future Container Terminal in Sohar Port.
© Oman Daily Observer 2011
