Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) has committed to support a host of new initiatives to benefit communities and boost sustainable development across Oman
The programme includes commitments in the major areas of health, safety and environment, community infrastructure development, as well as empowerment of youth and women, all of which are fully aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
Ten Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) confirming these commitments were signed on April 28 at an official ceremony at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Qurum, Muscat.
The package includes supporting a new dairy factory in Taqah, which will be built to support women working under the umbrella of the PDO-backed Banat Oman initiative. This will enable them to meet high market demand for their products, including export opportunities to the regional market, and to sustain and grow their current sales.
Among the range of infrastructure commitments, PDO is funding a new fish market in Bahla as part of the ministry of agriculture and fisheries fish markets rollout plan across the sultanate. The 1,000 sq m facility, which will contain an ice factory with an estimated production of five tonnes of ice per day, will boost the fisheries industry in the area and create around 50 employment opportunities.
Ali bin Mansour bin Nasser Al Busaidi, Wali of Bahla, said, “There is no doubt that this market will serve locals by creating job opportunities and providing fresh fish and seafood.”
The company is stepping up its community health efforts by providing Haima Hospital with a new CT scan machine and funding the construction of related facilities such as waiting and preparation rooms that will improve medical diagnosis and minimise current CT scan referrals.
The company will also support the construction of a passenger building in Juzur Al Hallaniyat airport as the existing runway on the island, mostly used by the royal air force, does not have one.
Other infrastructure pledges include the construction of reverse osmosis plants in Qatbeet/Sadhoon and another in Wadi Arah, designed to meet the local population’s current and future demand for drinking water, and the replacement of a damaged five-km long water pipe from Shaleem to Wadi Hakka.
In addition, two buses will be provided for the Omani Women Association in Haima and Al Jazir, and a third for Al Wusta Club for youth to support these organisations in their activities.
