As part of its keenness to provide a suitable environment for the growth of Qatari companies and in line with the objectives of the " Qualification of Small-Scale Contractors" initiative launched in January this year, the Public Works Authority ‘Ashghal’ announced the signing of four contracts for road improvement projects at a total value of about QR 59 million. Ashghal also signed two contracts for drainage projects worth more than QR 620 million.

H.E. Dr. Eng. Saad bin Ahmad Al Muhannadi, Ashghal President, signed the contracts with the representatives of the implementing companies during a press conference held on Tuesday, December 11, 2018, in the presence of a number of department directors and heads of sections, as well as the representatives of the implementing companies.
On this occasion, H.E. Ashghal President said that signing the new contracts for road improvement projects is part of the “Qualification of Small-Scale Contractors” Initiative, which was launched by "Ashghal" this year in an aim to provide local Qatari investors in the contracting industry with the opportunity for to execute small projects that qualify them to work on the country’s strategic projects in the future, and to actively participate in the local economy.

H.E. Ashghal President pointed out that a new initiative will be launched in 20019 to qualify new contractors, and that project tenders worth QR 50 million will be opened for local contractors, noting that these projects will contribute to the development and support of Qatari companies through the implementation of road improvement works in many areas of the country.

H.E. Ashghal President also noted that the period between July 2017 and October 2018 witnessed pumping over QR 2 billion through the purchase of local products from 33 local manufacturers.

Ashghal launched the "Qualification of Small-Scale Contractors" initiative in January this year. The initiative aims to develop and support the local Qatari companies and encourage them to participate in roads projects, even if they have no previous experience in this field. The initiative provides the opportunity for these companies to develop and qualify their companies to compete in the domestic market and in the global market in the future. The initiative also aims to provide support to new contractors through training and by introducing them to best practices in project implementation.

Eng. Ali Al Kaabi from the Roads Projects Department gave a presentation about Ashghal’s plan for Road Improvement Projects, as well as the scope of work and implementation schedule for these projects. Eng. Ali also shed light on Ashghal’s 2019 plan for new and existing citizens’ sub-divisions projects. The plan includes awarding 20 contracts covering the areas of Smaisma South, Rawdat Al Jahhaniya, Ain Khalid North, Al Kheesa, Al Khor West, and Al Egda. This is in addition to Al Ebb and Leabib, Kharaitiyat and Izghawa, Al Mashaf South, Umm Slal Mohammed, Al Mearad, Muaither South West, Jeryan Nejaima, Duhail South, Umm Lekbha, and Mubaireek. These project will commence soon and will serve more than 12,970 land plot.

Road Improvement Projects Signed
The first contract signed within the “Qualification of Small-Scale Contractors" initiative includes the Road Improvement Works in Various Areas of Greater Doha – Phase 6A. The contract was awarded to “Ramco Trading & Contracting” at a value of QR 14.2 million.

The second contract includes Road Improvement Works in Al Rayyan Areas - Phase 5B, which was awarded to “Castle Infrastructure Contracting” at a value of QR 14.8 million.
The third contract includes the Road Improvement Works in Northern Areas in Al Shamal, Al Khor, & Al Thakhira Municipality – Phase 3A, which was awarded to “Al Madar Contracting” at a value of QR 14.9 million.

The fourth contracts was awarded to “City Square Contracting & Trading” to implement the Road Improvement Works in South of Greater Doha - Phase 6A, at a value of QR 14.9 million.

The new projects are planned to commence in Q1, 2019, and will be implemented within a period of 365 days. The projects’ scope includes grading works, road pavement, construction of pedestrian lanes, installation of street lighting, as well as works to enhance traffic safety such as installation of directional signs and road marking.
For his part, Eng. Hidar Abd Elreda Al Mashady, CEO of Al Madar Contracting Company, thanked the Public Works Authority for its good initiative to involve local contractors in the implementation of infrastructure projects, which helps them develop themselves to be able to implement small and large projects.

Drainage Projects Signed
The first contract signed was the Design & Build Contract for Industrial Area Sewage Treatment Works – Phase 3A, which aims to increase the plant’s capacity from 60,000 cubic metres per day to 90,000 cubic metres per day, in order to accommodate the increasing population in Doha Industrial Area. The contract has been signed with “Larsen & Toubro Limited” for QR 351.85 million.

The second contract included the Rehabilitation of Doha South Sewage Treatment Works (Nuaija plant), which aims to rehabilitate the treatment plant to operate efficiently and safely until 2030. The plant includes wastewater treatment, control of odors, and sludge treatment. The contract has been signed with “VA Tech Wabag Ltd.” for QR 275.2 million.
Eng. Walid Al Ghoul, from Ashghal’s Drainage Projects Department, gave a brief about drainage projects currently implemented by the authority. He also explained the two new projects and their objectives.

H.E. Ashghal President said that the two drainage contracts are worth more than QR 620 million. He added that Ashghal is developing the existing sewage networks to accommodate the population growth expected in the coming years. The authority is also rehabilitating drainage and sewage networks to increase their capacity and to reduce the environmental impacts and floods caused by increasing hydraulic pressure, in addition to constructing a sustainable drainage infrastructure in the new areas and constructing world-class, high-efficiency treatment plants.