Projects in governorates to focus on citizen's needs

Muscat: In conjunction with the Royal Directives regarding the development of the governorates, the Ministry of Economy has shared details of the strategic programs for the Development of Governorates and Sustainable Cities as per the priorities of the 10th Five Year Plan.

His Majesty Sultan Sultan Haitham bin Tarik in his meeting with dignitaries of Al Dhakhiliyah and AI Wusta Governorates at Hisn al Shomoukh issued royal directives to increase the financial allocations for the Governorates Development Programme from RO10 to RO20 million to every governorate during the 10th Five Year Plan and starting from this year.

The directives mandated the governors to submit annual execution plans to the concerned authorities on how these financial allocations will be utilized in addition to following up with the concerned government units for the implementation of social and services projects in their respective governorates.

General guidelines for the distribution of the allocated amount for each governorate:

Projects that are in line with the targeted sectors of the 10th Five Year Development Plan.

Projects that focus on enhancing the social aspect for development and providing public services that meet the needs of citizens in the governorate.

Priority will be given to projects which the private sector is reluctant to carry out. This means that the projects that can be fully financed by the private sector or civil society organizations or grants are excluded.

Projects that promote SMEs and create job opportunities for locals in the governorate.

Projects that can be carried out through the offices of the governors (decentralization).

A committee at each governorate is to be set up to approve and utilize the allocations for projects (the committee mandates have been defined).

The Governors shall prepare bi-annual follow up reports in June and December) and submit them to the Ministry of Economy. The reports

should include a breakdown of the amounts allocated for the governorate for different projects.