The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources recently released statistics, shedding light on the water licensing landscape. According to the report, a substantial total of 785 water licences were issued in May 2023 across all governorates of the Sultanate of Oman.
In regards to regional distribution, the Governorate of Al Dhahirah got the highest number of permits (248 ) while Al Dakhiliyah secured 199 permits. North Al Batinah obtained 77 licences, and North Al Sharqiyah was granted 92 licences while the Governorate of South Al Batinah got 86 permits.
Muscat Governorate lagged behind the others, with a modest issuance of merely 6 permits. South Al Sharqiyah garnered 32 licences, while Al Buraimi was granted 34 licences. Musandam, Al Wusta and Dhofar obtained 1, 4, and 6 licences respectively.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources stated that water licences encompassed a diverse range of activities including registration and licensing of wells, construction of dams and aflaj, well drilling contracts, and development projects.
It is worth mentioning that the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources places paramount importance on issuing water licences as a means to effectively monitor and regulate the utilisation of water resources. The approach ensures a harmonious equilibrium between the available water quantities and the multifaceted requirements across different sectors.
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