03 February 2009
MUSCAT -- Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) yesterday inaugurated a new asphalt road linking Fahud with Lekhwair fields at a special ceremony held under the auspices of Sheikh Abdullah bin Ali Al Qatabi, state adviser, in the presence of government officials local dignitaries and senior officials from PDO.
"The new road represents an important milestone by PDO," said Saif Al Hinai, PDO's Oil North director. "The completion of the new 125km Fahud-Lekhwair road means that PDO has connected its last major oil producing facility with the rest of Oman by an all-weather asphalt road."
The Fahud-Lekhwair road will improve road safety leading to an expected reduction in road traffic accidents. It also provides improved connectivity to the newly opened Fahud airport, and the local community in its vicinity by linking villages, such as Haban, Wadi Al Ain, Al Fargah, Masrooq, Malan, Dhulaima, Umm Arrumool and Ramlat Al Khailah.
In addition to the new road, PDO has constructed two parking and rest areas with sunshades as well as lay-byes at seven locations, allowing drivers to rest during long journeys.
Speaking on the occasion, John Malcolm, managing director of PDO, said: "Today's official opening of Fahud-Lekhwair road represents a key milestone in PDO's new transportation strategy which was designed to benefit the company, our staff and to serve the nation's interests as a whole. Our new hub and spoke transportation strategy has involved building the Fahud-Lekhwair road and three tarmac airports to the highest standards that meet International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) requirements and the Government of Sultanate Oman Civil Aviation requirements. As you know, we recently celebrated the opening of airports at here at Fahud as well as Marmul and Qarn Alam.
"I am glad to report that the construction of the Fahud-Lekhwair road was achieved in a record time! Thanks to the hard work of PDO's project team and our contractor Galfar, we completed this road two months ahead of schedule.
"This road and the new airports have allowed us to introduce modern jet aircraft to fly passengers to the three hubs and from there on comfortable coaches to their final destinations.
"This road is 125km long and it reduces the journey time from Fahud to Lekhwair from over 2 hours to little over one hour. The completion of the Fahud-Lekhwair road means that PDO has connected its last major oil producing facility with the rest of Oman by an all-weather asphalt road.
"The Fahud-Lekhwair road will improve road safety leading hopefully to an expected reduction in road traffic accidents. Whereas the old road was very dusty and bumpy, thus creating a major traffic hazard, the new road will provide a safe way of travelling by road -- provided, of course, people drive safely.
"It also provides improved connectivity for the local community by linking many villages in its vicinity. Not only will it help local communities but will also serve the Nation as a whole.
"In addition to the new road, PDO has constructed two parking and rest areas with sunshades as well as lay-byes at seven locations, allowing drivers to rest during long journeys. As total of 25km of new road have been built in and around Fahud and Lekhwair towns, which will also be of benefit for local inhabitants.
For PDO, it confirms our ability to implement new infrastructure projects efficiently and cost-effectively and for benefit of wider society."
MUSCAT -- Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) yesterday inaugurated a new asphalt road linking Fahud with Lekhwair fields at a special ceremony held under the auspices of Sheikh Abdullah bin Ali Al Qatabi, state adviser, in the presence of government officials local dignitaries and senior officials from PDO.
"The new road represents an important milestone by PDO," said Saif Al Hinai, PDO's Oil North director. "The completion of the new 125km Fahud-Lekhwair road means that PDO has connected its last major oil producing facility with the rest of Oman by an all-weather asphalt road."
The Fahud-Lekhwair road will improve road safety leading to an expected reduction in road traffic accidents. It also provides improved connectivity to the newly opened Fahud airport, and the local community in its vicinity by linking villages, such as Haban, Wadi Al Ain, Al Fargah, Masrooq, Malan, Dhulaima, Umm Arrumool and Ramlat Al Khailah.
In addition to the new road, PDO has constructed two parking and rest areas with sunshades as well as lay-byes at seven locations, allowing drivers to rest during long journeys.
Speaking on the occasion, John Malcolm, managing director of PDO, said: "Today's official opening of Fahud-Lekhwair road represents a key milestone in PDO's new transportation strategy which was designed to benefit the company, our staff and to serve the nation's interests as a whole. Our new hub and spoke transportation strategy has involved building the Fahud-Lekhwair road and three tarmac airports to the highest standards that meet International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) requirements and the Government of Sultanate Oman Civil Aviation requirements. As you know, we recently celebrated the opening of airports at here at Fahud as well as Marmul and Qarn Alam.
"I am glad to report that the construction of the Fahud-Lekhwair road was achieved in a record time! Thanks to the hard work of PDO's project team and our contractor Galfar, we completed this road two months ahead of schedule.
"This road and the new airports have allowed us to introduce modern jet aircraft to fly passengers to the three hubs and from there on comfortable coaches to their final destinations.
"This road is 125km long and it reduces the journey time from Fahud to Lekhwair from over 2 hours to little over one hour. The completion of the Fahud-Lekhwair road means that PDO has connected its last major oil producing facility with the rest of Oman by an all-weather asphalt road.
"The Fahud-Lekhwair road will improve road safety leading hopefully to an expected reduction in road traffic accidents. Whereas the old road was very dusty and bumpy, thus creating a major traffic hazard, the new road will provide a safe way of travelling by road -- provided, of course, people drive safely.
"It also provides improved connectivity for the local community by linking many villages in its vicinity. Not only will it help local communities but will also serve the Nation as a whole.
"In addition to the new road, PDO has constructed two parking and rest areas with sunshades as well as lay-byes at seven locations, allowing drivers to rest during long journeys. As total of 25km of new road have been built in and around Fahud and Lekhwair towns, which will also be of benefit for local inhabitants.
For PDO, it confirms our ability to implement new infrastructure projects efficiently and cost-effectively and for benefit of wider society."
© Times of Oman 2009
