​In the context of continuous cooperation and coordination between the governmental entities, the Utilities Coordination Committee (UCC), chaired by the Public Works Authority ‘Ashghal’, held a workshop attended by all entities represented in the UCC, namely; the Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME), Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (KAHRAMAA) and the General Directorate of Traffic in the Ministry of Interior.

The workshop aimed at discussing and updating the signed MOUs between Ashghal and these concerned entities in relation to the roads and infrastructure projects across the state.

Eng. Saoud Al Tamimi, Manager of Ashghal’s Roads Projects Department and the Chairman of the UCC stated that “The workshop witnessed very good interaction between the attendees which indicates the keenness of all governmental agencies on cooperation and to work hand in hand to achieve Qatar’s National Vision 2030 in addition to delivery of all commitments for Qatar 2022 World Cup.”

Al Tamimi also pointed out that the effort exerted by the UCC participating entities in the last few years has led to resolution of most of the issues and matters raised to the Committee. He also mentioned that the MOUs signed between Ashghal and the other entities have played a significant role in saving time and reducing costs. These MOUs are the basis on which approved and streamlines processes and procedures were established to handle underground existing services and coordinate work among contractors. They also facilitated regulation of land allocation processes and eliminating all the challenges that hinder or delay projects’ construction.

In the same context, Eng. Ibrahim Abbas, Manager of Infrastructure Planning Department, MME representative for planning affairs, pointed out that MME has entered into an agreement before with Ashghal in relation to land allocation and subdivision and issuance of building permits in 2012. This agreement helped expedite the work in the new residential subdivisions. Abbas also pointed out that this workshop was a very good opportunity to review this agreement and undertake the necessary changes in addition to considering other means of cooperation with Ashghal and the other governmental service agencies.

Eng. Fahad Telfat, Manager of KAHRAMAA’s Water Network Sector and UCC member, praised the close coordination and cooperation between KAHRAMAA and Ashghal and emphasized the importance of this cooperation in the success of projects as provision of utilities in both existing and new areas substantially depends on such coordination.

Brigadier Mohamed Maarifiya, Manager of Traffic Safety and Engineering Department, and Ministry of Interior’s representative in the UCC, emphasized the importance of coordination meetings and workshops between the governmental agencies. He also praised the role that the UCC plays in setting a strategy for the integrated infrastructure development and finding solutions to guarantee traffic safety on roads and traffic flow through all diversions during projects construction.

It is worth mentioning that the workshop, which was held on the 27th and 28th of February, discussed the design and construction workloads between Ashghal and KAHRAMAA, reviewed the current procedures for traffic diversions and the land allocation agreement with MME. In addition the workshop also discussed the backfilling and reinstatement procedures.