Doha, November 14 (QNA) – The Shura Council held Monday its regular weekly meeting, in Tamim bin Hamad Hall, under the chairmanship of HE Speaker of the Shura Council Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim.
At the outset of the meeting, HE Secretary-General of the Shura Council Dr. Ahmed bin Nasser Al Fadhala read out the agenda of the session. The minutes of the previous session were ratified.
The Council hosted HE President of the Public Works Authority (Ashghal) Dr. Eng. Saad bin Ahmed Al Mohannadi and a number of officials of the Authority, to provide a briefing to the Council on the infrastructure projects accomplished by the authority and the projects related to hosting the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
HE Ashghal President gave a brief presentation in which he dealt with the most prominent developments in the implementation of projects and its readiness to receive the tournament.
During the presentation, HE President of the Public Works Authority affirmed the readiness of all the projects related to hosting the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, saying that the championship projects were completed two years ahead of schedule.
He pointed out the huge projects completed by the authority in record time according to the highest international standards, such as the internal and external road network in all regions of the country, bridges, tunnels, pedestrian and bicycle paths, rainwater and sewage drainage networks, and other facilities, buildings and service facilities in various sectors such as health and education.
He stated that the authority has completed 1,791 km of roads, 207 bridges, 143 tunnels, and 2,131 km of pedestrian and bicycle paths, in addition to developing citizens’ lands and equipping them with infrastructure.
His Excellency explained that one of the most important projects that will represent a legacy for the future is the transportation network project, similar to the metro network and the fleet of electric and regular buses, which provides 8 bus stops and 7 depots, as well as 1,200 stations.
The President of the Public Works Authority highlighted the Authority’s projects in some areas of the Country, such as the Doha Corniche, stating that the Authority has worked tirelessly to develop the Corniche area by constructing pedestrian crossings, tunnels and bicycle paths and underground parking, as well as lighting the road with 1,400 lighting poles, which represented an important beautifying addition, and other landscaping works for the area.
HE President of the Public Works Authority revealed the authority’s tendency to adopt advanced technology in the implementation of projects to reduce noise and reduce labor intensity in construction projects.
He also touched on afforestation efforts, creating green spaces, beautifying areas and roads, adding aesthetic touches in different cities, and showing them in a civilized image befitting the State of Qatar.
On the other hand, HE President of the Public Works Authority affirmed the authority’s keenness to coordinate and cooperate with the private sector to achieve the desired integration; in accordance with the directives of the wise leadership in the country.
He affirmed that the authority is following up on various projects to ensure their compliance with metrologies and standards, ensure their operational performance, and take the necessary measures in the event of any problem through a specialized team of Qatari engineers.
Also, HE Dr. Al Mohannadi pointed out that the infrastructure projects accomplished by the Public Works Authority or the projects for hosting the tournament are not the end of the Ashghal strategy, indicating that the Authority has a strategy that extends until 2045.
HE President of the Public Works Authority welcomed all the proposals and ideas put forward by the members of the Shura Council during the session, praising the council’s interest and concern for the interest of the country and citizens, looking forward to furthering cooperation to achieve common goals and the higher interest of the Country.
Members’ questions and interventions focused on a number of issues related to the projects of the Public Works Authority, especially the projects’ readiness and progress, the commitment to the timelines for their implementation, the observations made by public opinion on the Authority’s projects, and the extent to which these projects conform to technical and environmental requirements and standards.
The members of the Council also raised inquiries about the development of citizens’ lands and internal streets, the rainwater and sewage drainage network, the efficiency of water use, and the authority’s future plans.
For his part, HE Speaker of the Council Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim, and the members of the Council expressed their thanks and appreciation to HE President of the Public Works Authority Dr. Saad Al Mohannadi, and the authority’s officials, for the comprehensive and important information they provided to the Council about their efforts, affirming Council’s keenness to cooperate and integrate with all Country institutions in order to achieve the common goal of highlighting the civilized image of the Country, especially during the current stage.
The Speaker of the Shura Council also extended his sincere thanks to all employees of the Public Works Authority, praising their efforts over the past years, and the important development projects they accomplished that will remain a legacy for generations.
During the session, the Council reviewed the report of the Financial and Economic Affairs Committee on the Shura Council’s budget for the fiscal year 2023.
After discussing what was stated in the committee’s report, the Council agreed to approve its budget for the fiscal year 2023.
HE Speaker of the Shura Council, during the session, briefed the members of the Council on his recent meeting with HE Vice-President of the European Parliament Eva Kail, during which they discussed bilateral cooperation relations between the Shura Council and the European Parliament, and means to enhance them. (QNA)