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Kuwait Govt to focus on upgrading Power and water networks |
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Thursday, 28 October 2010 21:04 |
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 The Ministry of Electricity and Water (MEW) yesterday signed a number of major contracts, including one for a new water distribution facility which will help strengthen the ministry's distribution abilities in light of the increasing demand caused by steadily growing population levels. The new facility will also help to cope with the expected demand from the housing estates planned for locations across the country. The MEW also plans to carry out a number of modernization projects, including the importation of high-tech energy-saving regulators for street lighting in some areas. The ministry also plans to import other advanced equipment for the desalination units at the Shuwaikh desalination facility, reported Al-Qabas. The different contracts all come within the ministry's plan to strengthen and improve Kuwait's electricity and water networks.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Premier for Economic Affairs Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah said yesterday that the government is focusing on improving Kuwait's electricity and water services in line with the objectives set out in the development plan. Sheikh Ahmad, who also doubles as Minister of State for Development Affairs and Minister of State for Housing Affairs, was speaking on the occasion of signing contracts for the new Mina Abdullah water reservoir project at the Ministry of Electricity and Water (MEW). Also attending the signing ceremony were the Minister of Electricity and Water Dr Bader Al-Shuraiaan and the Chairman of the Central Tenders Commission Ahmad Al-Kuleib. "The aim of the contracts is to increase [the facility's] water production capacity by 50 percent," Sheikh Ahmad noted.
Stressing the private sector's role as a "real partner" in development projects, and a realization of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah's vision of involving the private sector in these projects, the Deputy Premier said, "We celebrate the signing of four [MEW] projects as part of the state's development plan; which has achieved 56 percent of its implementation objectives in a short period of time." Voicing hope that the next six months would see the achievement of more goals, Sheikh Ahmad urged all those involved to abide by the plan's timeline in order to reach its objectives.
Al-Shuraiaan, meanwhile, said that public sector work had witnessed a "qualitative" leap in terms of planning and executing projects following the official endorsement of the government's development plan. The minister added that the Mina Abdullah reservoir project "encompasses the latest in management systems and network monitoring, and will supply the south of the country with its water needs." Since the introduction of the development plan, 203 contracts, with a combined value of KD2 billion have been signed, Al-Shuraiaan added, revealing that the Mina Abdullah reservoir project will cost KD117 million.
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