Utilities and Services

The Environment

The Sultanate of Oman has won regional and international recognition for its commitment to conservation and protecting the environment. The United Nations Environmental Programme has hailed Oman as a country with an enviable record in conservation and pollution control.
Oman introduced environmental protection laws in 1974. In May 1984, it became the first Arab state to create a dedicated ministry to handle environmental issues, creating the Ministry of Regional Municipalities, Environment and Water Resources. The Sultanate celebrates national Environment Day every January and declared 2001 and 2002 as Years of the Environment.
This called on Omanis to combine their efforts and resources to create a better environment, raise awareness and promote eco-friendly practices and closer co-operation between the public, the authorities and other bodies. Public response was so positive that Sultan Qaboos decided to extend the Year of the Environment to 2002. Oman is committed to sustainable development, to safeguard and protect the Sultanate’s wildlife and bio-diversity for future generations.
The government is committed to protecting bio-diversity and conserving the environment for sustainable development in all spheres, including agriculture and industry. 2001 saw the government launch the National Bio-diversity Strategy and Plan of Action, approved by the Council of Ministers at session 20/2000.

Mangrove planting

Mangrove trees grow in arid and semi-arid coastal regions, requiring brackish water and sea water. Fully-grown mangrove trees create a water and soil eco-system, a seasonal refuge for fish and crustaceans and resident and migrant birds. They protect the shores from erosion and provide windbreaks in coastal areas.
Mangrove trees, known in Arabic as qurm, are among the most important natural coastal resources in Oman. Large stretches of coast used to be covered with thick mangroves, but their eco-systems are fragile and threatened in many places with extinction. This led to replanting suitable coastal locations as an urgent conservation measure. Now, mangroves cover around 1,088 hectares of the Sultanate’s coastline.
Environment officials and the Japanese International Co-operation Agency have replanted several areas along the coast. Phase One saw 15,000 mangrove seedlings planted at Al Sawadi. A nursery at Al Qurm Natural Park is producing seedlings for planting. Regulations protect new plantations in North Batinah, Muscat, Sur, Masirah Island, Barr al Hikman and Salalah.

Coral Reefs

In 1996, a survey of coral reefs in Omani waters to assess the impact of human activity was carried out. In 2002, coral reef management was started at Al Fahal Island. If it succeeds, the scheme will expand to other parts of Oman. The project prevents floating fishing buoys and diving craft dropping anchor on coral reefs and is creating artificial reefs to monitor the growth rate of coral.
An environmental database is being set up. It will monitor marine pollution, environmental planning, air and noise pollution, chemicals, water and soil pollution, waste management and hazardous waste. These databases can be accessed from the ministry’s website. Marine pollution and water pollution databases are linked to the central laboratory in Seeb so that the environmental database system can receive the results from samples sent for analysis.

Threatened Plants

Most trees in Oman are indigenous to arid and semi-arid regions and require decades to grow to full height. Cutting down or damaging these trees is an attack on the environment that takes a long time to redress. The directorate-general of wildlife conservation has established nurseries to protect Oman’s natural flora from extinction at Al Saleel Nature Reserve and in the Governorate of Dhofar.
Attempts are being made to replant areas that have lost tree cover due to tree-felling or overgrazing, phenomena that can cause desertification – these include the sidr, ghaf, sarh and sumr trees. The nursery in Dhofar provides seedlings for replanting the southern region where the flora is rare and not found elsewhere. The nursery in Al Saleel Natural Park grows wild plants for the northern regions.
These nurseries classify endangered wild plants according to type and location and analyse their water consumption, how long they can survive without water and growth rates. They list plant species threatened with extinction and try to propagate them. A small garden for local flora teaches students to identify native Omani plants.

Anti-desertification schemes

A project in Oman’s southern Dhofar region uses the latest remote sensing and geographical data systems, computer simulation and models to study the dynamics of weather and terrestrial ecosystems. It creates coupled models linking the climate with terrestrial ecosystems, particularly bio-systems to devise and evaluate anti-desertification schemes such as tree-planting and environmental rehabilitation, and identify factors that affect the stability of wet climates in Dhofar region.
Computer programs enable desktop evaluation of anti-desertification schemes. The project includes a program to devise and apply these programs. Oman has signed a contract with Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the USA to implement the project, which is funded by the Islamic Development Bank in Jeddah.

Transport

By the end of 2001 the Sultanate had an extensive road network that underpins Oman’s economic and social development. Oman is becoming a world class player in global ports and shipping. Mina Sultan Qaboos in Muscat handles most of the country’s imports and exports. Now, the Port of Salalah in Dhofar is emerging as a major international container port.
Seeb International Airport outside Muscat is Oman’s main gateway to the outside world. Seeb Airport and Salalah Airport handle all types of aircraft. In 2001, Oman privatised management of the two airports, through a contract with British Airports Authority (BAA), to attract foreign and domestic investment and to expand the two largest airports to handle projected growth in travel, tourism and freight. The aim is to make Oman an important hub for the region.

Main Ports

Port Sultan Qaboos

Current facilities:
• Eight berths of between
9.6 and 13 metres deep.
• Three shore-side berths.
• One floating jetty.
• One shallow berth.
In future:
A passenger dock will be constructed in future.

Port Salalah

Current facilities:
• Harbour basin is 16 metres deep, with an approach channel 16.5 metres deep.
• Jetty storage area, 1,236 metres long and 325 metres wide.
• 650 metre long jetty for unloading freight, 16 metres deep.
• One oil jetty 12 metres deep to handle 35,000 dwt vessels.
• Ten berths between 5 and 10 metres deep for unloading dry cargo/general freight.

Port Sohar

A major port is being developed at Sohar. The government has invested approx. US$250 million towards the construction of the complex, which includes the reclamation and preparation of an industrial area of some 2,000 hectares. The first vessels are expected to call at Sohar in early-2003.
• lst phase, which is nearing completion, covers the construction of breakwaters, 850 metres of quay, two liquid berths and the dredging of the port basin to 16.5 metres.
• 2nd phase, which is yet to commence, will cover a further 800 metres of quay wall. Of this additional quay, a 250-metre length is earmarked for the exclusive use of the planned fertiliser plant at Sohar. Another 550 metres of quay will be dedicated to the proposed aluminium smelter.

Port Duqm

There is no port infrastructure at Duqm. The government is inviting bids for consultancy services to study the feasibility of constructing a harbour that will comprise:
• Harbour basin protected by breakwaters 1,300 metres long, 10 metres deep.
• 300 metre berth for general freight.
• A second 300 metre berth.
• A fishing dock 2.5 metres deep inside the harbour basin.
• A dry dock.
• Pleasure boat berths.
• Provisioning and infrastructure facilities.

The consultancy study is due to be completed ten months after the issue of the work order. Construction may take two years.

Small local harbours
Port Khasab

Current facilities:
• 90 metre berth, 5 metres deep.
• A 30 x 5 metre pontoon
• A lifeboat
• A harbour basin and channel dredged to 5 metres.
In future:
The harbour will be expanded between 2002 - 2004, adding a 9 metre channel and 8.5 metre harbour, a 300 metre berth, 8.5 metres deep, a fishing harbour with three pontoons of 30 x 6 metres. There will be two 30 x 6 metres pontoons for the Royal Oman Police and for Iranian boats, a 60 hectare repair yard, and infrastructure including administration building, customs building, coastguard headquarters, covered storage areas, water, and electricity.
 

Port Shinas

Current facilities:
• A harbour basin and 3.5 metre channel.
• A pontoon - 90 x 4 metres.

In future:
The harbour basin will be dredged to four metres, with a 4.5 metre deep approach channel.

Water

Dams protect water resources and recharge groundwater stocks with rainwater. Oman’s dams include 17 groundwater recharge dams, 40 surface storage dams and one in Khor Rasagh that acts as a barrier against the sea.

Wadi Al Mu’aidan dam

New dams include Wadi al Mu’aidan groundwater recharge dam in Nizwa, 6km below the Niyabat of Birkat Al Mawz. This dam will improve and develop the area’s water resources. The dam is 3,365 metres long, has a maximum height of 10.2 metres and a capacity of around 2.5 million cubic metres.

Sharqiyah Sands basin

At the beginning of 2002 the Ministry of Regional Municipalities, Environment and Water Resources launched phase one of the RO 22.1 million Sharqiyah Sands basin project. Due for launch in July 2003, it will supply fresh water to more than 79,000 people. Initially, the project will supply around 3.3 million cubic metres of water, increasing to around 15.8 million cubic metres by 2032, when it will provide 196,000 local peoples with water for drinking and domestic use.

Al Masarrat basin

Hawdh al Masarrat will supply clean water to more than 115,000 people in Ibri, Yanqul and Dhank and surrounding villages. It is expected to provide 8 million cubic metres of water a year, to meet projected population growth. Water supply will increase to around 26 million cubic metres in 2030, to serve 215,000 local people. The opening ceremony was due to take place in 2002.

Municipalities

Oman began to establish municipalities in major cities in the early Seventies, a drive that is being extended to every town and every village. These municipalities promote clean and healthy towns and villages, offering services that protect citizens’ health such as safe food, accommodation, clean water, electricity and sewerage, modern roads, souqs and public gardens.
The community and the municipality work together on development projects to improve local services. Three years ago, the government decided to make road lighting and surfacing a priority. Other projects include fencing or walling off cemeteries and waste treatment sites and building public squares, celebration grounds and other facilities.
Muscat Municipality completed a number of projects in 2001, including Sidab coastal development project, Bausher fish, vegetable and meat market, Al Mawaleh Central Market and initial development of Old Muscat’s Mayabin quarter. The capital is being redeveloped, with unsightly and dilapidated houses rebuilt in traditional Omani style.
The Muscat-Sidab-Al Bustan road links Al Alam Palace with the Al Bustan Palace Hotel. It has been beautified so that local people and visitors can walk, jog and enjoy the sea views, with date palms, walkways and fishing areas, and decorative panels illustrating the Sultanate’s history.
Muscat Municipality has revamped Mutrah market, Mawaleh central market and Al Ghubra central market to improve hygiene and food safety. Now, work has begun to rebuild Sohar Gate between Sohar and Saham, north of the capital. Unlike other Omani gates, Sohar Gate has an inner courtyard enclosed by colonnades. It is being restored in keeping with Omani and Islamic architectural traditions, highlighting its status as the first city in Oman to embrace Islam.

Roads

Oman is continually upgrading, modernising and improving its road network. The government has decided to build a series of overhead pedestrian crossings in the capital starting in 2002, following a study by Muscat Municipality on traffic on main roads. These will enable pedestrians to cross busy main roads in safety.

Summary of Completed Road Lengths in kms

Year	1970	1975	1980	1985	1990	1995	2000
Asphalted	10	708	2192	3768	4976	6257	8477
Graded	1817	4898	9169	13501	18689	24287	25370

Planning and housing

Oman has launched medium- (five-year) and long-term (ten-year) plans to develop the Sultanate’s regions, provide services to outlying villages and limit migration to the major cities. In 2001 the government earmarked 24,958 plots of land across the country: between 1996 and 2000 it provided 125,094 plots, distributed according to rules on eligibility for government land. In 2001, officials distributed 8,310 plots of land. Between 1996-2000, 57,099 plots were distributed.
Oman operates three social housing programmes, each targeting different income groups. The social housing programme aims to provide homes that suit their local areas, for average-sized Omani families. Between 1976 and 1990, the Sultanate provided 8,260 social housing units nationwide.
In 1997 His Majesty waived all outstanding payments owed by Omanis included in the social housing scheme. Since 2000, government bodies and the Oman Charitable Organisation have built new houses, mosques and public meeting places in rural areas. Linking established rural communities with new towns in the regions aims to discourage migration from the country to the city.
By the end of 2001, officials had approved 879 new housing units, costing RO 8.3 million, to provide suitable housing for as many eligible citizens as possible.
The housing assistance programme provides homes for families earning up to RO 129 a month, and those eligible for social assistance programmes, awarding grants of up to RO 6,000 to citizens whose homes need restoration or rebuilding. Launched in September 1981, 5,992 Omani families had benefited from the programme by the end of 2001. Funding has been approved for a further 120 families in 2002.
Housing loans are an alternative source of finance for Omanis on limited incomes. One of the weaknesses of the social housing programme was that citizens who moved from their communities lost their links with their villages, communities and sources of income. This programme supports people earning between RO 130-250 a month. Between 1991/ 2001, 2,492 Omani families benefited from this scheme. Funding was approved for a further 102 Omani families in 2002.

Postal services

Oman’s postage stamps represent the Sultanate around the globe, highlighting its progress in every field. Stamp design allows Oman to showcase the best of its civilisation, culture and history. The ministry issues at least six stamp editions a year, including ordinary and commemorative stamps.
The country’s postal sector has expanded rapidly. By 2002, there were 95 post offices across the Sultanate. Regional post offices issue and renew commercial registrations, and other procedures that private sector businesses require, for a nominal fee. The Ministry of Transport and Communications hopes to introduce other services. By 2002, it was responsible for 435 postal agencies, providing postal services across the country.
New postal systems use the latest computer technology to streamline postal operations, and keep abreast of the demands of the information age. Royal Decree 30/2002 created the Communications Regulation Authority – an independent body responsible for implementing government communications policies to ensure comprehensive, competitively priced national services.

Telecommunications

Royal Decree 46/99 converted the government-run General Telecommunications Organisation (GTO) into a closed Omani joint-stock company fully owned by the government and renamed it the Oman Telecommunications Company (Omantel). The Royal Decree represents the first stage of the Omani government drive to privatise state-run monopolies.
Omantel is responsible for upgrading and improving telecommunications services in the Sultanate. The government wants citizens and local pension funds to buy stakes in the government’s share of Omantel. The government will retain 51 percent of the shares, with 40 percent going to the strategic partner and to local and international investors. The remaining 9 percent will be earmarked for individual shareholders and pension funds.
In 2001/2, Omantel, the Sultanate’s main service provider, launched a Thuraya mobile phone service which is connected directly to satellite and thus gives world wide coverage. At the end of 2001, it launched a mobile/GSM text message service.
Omantel is expanding mobile/GSM, fixed telephone and internet services. Other projects include the asymmetrical digital subscriber lines (ADSL) project, expanding the synchronous digital hierarchy (SDH), integrated services digital network (ISDN) and second international exchange projects and modernising subscriber billing systems.
The company is improving customer care and modernising the Arabsat station, converting it to the Intermediate Data Rate (IDR). Studies are being carried out on telecommunications network management systems. The company aims to improve the mobile/GSM system, boosting its coverage and increasing the number of channels to prevent congestion and improve services to an expanding sector.

Oman 2002/2003:- Home Geography and History Sultan Qaboos Government Foreign Affairs Defence,Law and Order Key Industries Economic Development Social Development Awqaf & Religious Aff. Heritage,Culture/Media Utilities Oman in figures Oman and The World Oman 2000 Book