Projects worth BD8 million on way

Urgent infrastructure projects costing around BD8 million are planned at sites across the kingdom.

The Auctions and Tender Board last month issued 10 tenders worth BD7.2m and awarded four others totalling BD684,589 for public work in the country’s four governorates.

Projects earmarked involve roads improvements, sewerage services and the construction of buildings.

They include the first phase of constructing new car parks at Bahrain University campus in Sakhir at a cost of BD373,632. This follows Southern Municipal Council complaints that the national higher education facility needed new secure parking areas following overcrowding issues.

Amongst those awaiting bids by companies are new roads in Hidd and the construction of new academic buildings at government schools.

Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry Works Affairs Under-Secretary Ahmed Al Khayat said progress would not be hindered by financial concerns created by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Those developmental projects aim to satisfy public demand and to match the vast urbanisation witnessed in the country,” said Mr Al Khayat.

“We are prioritising vital projects in line with national plans, sustainability and encouraging investment that in return will allow Bahrain to continuously progress.”

He added that a special budget of BD150,000 had also been set aside for infrastructure emergencies whenever it became necessary to ‘react fast’.

“Work on new projects is progressing, maintenance work is going as scheduled, and now we have emergency funding – wherever in the country, we will tap into it if needed,” he revealed.

Mr Al Khayat also presented new infrastructure projects planned in the Muharraq Governorate over the next two years during the Muharraq Municipal Council’s meeting yesterday.

“Weekly reports on progress are presented to the Cabinet,” he added. “Whenever there is an issue with contractors facing trouble with manpower due to Covid-19 it is addressed. We are following each and every case to ensure any delay is minimal.

“The projects – roads, sewerage or buildings – are being pushed ahead, keeping to commitments made to the public that we are tasked to serve.”

Meanwhile, the board opened the envelopes of 29 companies bidding for 10 tenders yesterday.

Seven were for road designs, five for buses to transport students to schools and institutes, two for a new aluminium lid for a Bapco tanker, one for consultancy to the continuation of the internal separation plan for Batelco, and one to provide spare parts for Bapco’s equipment.

Five tenders were alone issued by Tatweer Petroleum: Three envelopes were opened for dangerous services, six for programmes’ support services, two bids for the second phase development of the IBM Maximo software, one bid for Dresser spare part supplies, and one bid for Texsteam spare part supplies.

Source: https://www.gdnonline.com/Details/948778/Projects-worth-BD8-million-on-way