Sayyid Mohammed bin Sultan al Busaidy, Minister of State and Governor of Dhofar, affirmed that His Majesty Sultan Qaboos is very keen that the development should cover all parts of the Sultanate. In an interview with Oman News Agency (ONA), he said that the governorate is witnessing many vital projects, many of which have been completed and others involving huge investments are under way.

These projects will bring more job opportunities for Omanis and boost trade activity in the governorate. The projects include Salalah beach, Salalah Mall and others. He added that the investment projects in Dhofar Governorate include Medical City, tourism project in Aftalqut, development of Al Mughsail beach, a project in Al Hafah area, as well as other government service projects which are under way in the governorate including the cardiac unit project, Salalah Airport expansion project, water desalination plant, new Sultan Qaboos Hospital and the development of Hasik City.

Regarding cancellation or the postponement of some projects, he said that all projects are being implemented as per the plans, but some may witness delay or take longer period to complete due to different reasons. As for as the Salalah Airport project is concerned, he added that huge allocations have been made to make it an international airport. He affirmed that classifying the airport as international or not depends on international carriers which will decide this in co-ordination with the respective authorities.

Regarding cancelling of a service project (water well project in Yur area), he said this was due to objections by some citizens. He pointed out that while the area is provided with water needs, some citizens requested enhancing the available water supplies. As for the random fenced areas and illegal possession of lands at the rural housing areas under the Office of the Minister of State and Governor of Dhofar to get compensation, he said that the government will implement a project for removal of such violations as per the rules and regulations.

He affirmed that the government will not allow anyone to illegally seize state lands and that whoever has a right, should follow the rules and regulations and not to try to impose the status quo. As for the distribution of rural housing land plots, he added that the plots are distributed as per the Land Plots Law. Regarding injuries that led to some deaths in the border areas in the Wilayat of Al Mazyouna in Dhofar Governorate, he said that Oman is a state of institutions that has an independent judiciary.

He added that the Royal Army of Oman has the right to maintain the security and stability of the country and protect it against infiltrators and smugglers, especially the statistics show that there is a growth of smuggling operations along the border. He added that the Wilayat of Al Mazyouna has received a considerable share of development projects. The wilayat which has been a barren desert few years ago has turned into a full-fledged city which enjoys the fruits of the blessed renaissance. Early in 2010, His Majesty the Sultan has delegated ministers to visit the border areas and identify their developmental needs.

To this end a number of projects were approved including the construction of Aidam, Harweeb, Al Mazyouna road (62 km), Al Mazyouna, Maitan, Shaeeth road (120 km), Maitan, Al Hashman, Al Shasr, Thumrait road 204 km. The projects also include asphalting and lighting some internal roads and the expansion of Al Mazyouna Health Centre to serve as a 50-bed hospital.

He added that the projects also included the expansion of the capacity of Dhalkut Health Centre to 40 beds, in addition to the construction of 150 governmental housing units at the wilayat centre and 112 at its niyabats. The housing units have been completed and distributed onto citizens. Moreover, a tender has been floated to build 250 governmental housing units including 150 at the wilayat centre and 100 at the nearby villages to the border areas of the wilayat.

The quarantine at the wilayat centre has also been activated to encourage import and export of animals and limit the smuggling of non-licensed animals. He pointed out that a location has been identified at the Wilayat of Al Mazyouna to construct a market for animals and water well will also be dug at the western border areas. As for Salalah Tourism Festival, he added that the festival this year will kick-off on June 21 and closes on July 18 (28 days). The title will be ‘Omani Child Forum’ and the theme will be ‘Oman Safe Childhood and Promising Future’. This means that this year’s festival will focus on child skills and hobbies.