Public Works Authority (Ashghal) awarded projects worth QR38.4bn ($10.5bn) during 2013-14.
This represented an increase of almost 198% compared to awards valued at QR12.9bn ($3.5bn) throughout 2012-13.
Figures revealed in Ashghal’s Annual Report 2013-14 show that, between 2012 and 2014, projects worth QR51.3bn ($14bn) were awarded for the construction of civic infrastructure facilities across the country, including roads, drainage, schools, health centers and other projects.
Road developments made up over 88% (QR33.8bn – $9.2bn) of the total value of awarded projects during the calendar year 2013-14, compared to 76%, or QR9.8bn ($2.6bn) of the total value of projects awarded during the previous budget year.
The report shows that the amount of money allocated for buildings during 2013-14 increased to QR4.2bn ($1.1bn), witnessing a four-fold jump from QR1.9bn ($521,000) allocated during the previous period (2012-13).
Allocation of funds for drainage development in 2013-14 declined to QR276.5mn ($75.9mn), which is one-fourth of QR1.1bn ($302mn) spent on drainage projects awarded during 2012-13.
Under the ambitious Expressway Programme, Ashghal has more than 32 projects in different stages. Given to the size and magnitude these projects, the authority have divided them into 46 contracts.
“In 2013-2014, the Ministry of Finance approved a budget of QR16bn ($4.3bn) for Ashghal’s buildings, drainage and roads projects, which was 80% higher than the previous year. Ashghal spent a total of QR13bn ($3.56bn) or 84% of the allocated budget…for public infrastructure and buildings,” said Nasser bin Ali Al Mawlawi, president of the civic authority in his message published in the report.
According to the report, 27 projects are currently underway, and contracts for another 14, with the combined value of QR20bn ($5.4bn), were signed this year for the construction works to be started by next year.
The total value of construction projects that are currently progressing in different parts of the country is over QR18.2bn ($4.9bn).
Construction Week
6 November
