Plan to beautify Salmiya, Hawally areas, transform into tourist spot – Queries raised over safety of new school buildings

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KUWAIT CITY, March 1: Hawally Governor Ret General Sheikh Ahmad Al-Nawaf held an extensive meeting with the Director General of Kuwait Municipality Eng Ahmad Al-Manfouhi along with several key officials from the municipality, reports Al-Seyassah daily. During the meeting, they discussed plans to develop Salem Al-Mubarak Street and the duration for completing the project, presented suggestions in this regard and deliberated on pressing matters concerning Hawally Governorate in terms of projects and infrastructural development.

They also discussed ways to eliminate problems that the governorate is suffering from, especially in Hawally and Salmiya areas, and looked into several ideas of development and projects for improving the governorate. The governor affirmed the importance of Salem Al-Mubarak Street, stressing the need to transform it into a touristic attraction similar to Souk Mubarakiya Market. He explained that the project will produce positive impacts on the governorate.

It will contribute to the beautification aspects of the area as well as stimulate economic and commercial aspects. It will also provide job opportunities for Kuwaiti youths. The governor suggested ensuring prevention of vehicles from using the street. He indicated that the project is in line with the framework of strategic projects which the governorate strives to execute in coordination with the municipality, affirming that it will provide high-level infrastructural services and contribute to supporting comprehensive development witnessed in the governorate as well as respond to the needs of citizens. Governor Al-Nawaf emphasized the importance of the spirit of joint effort and work to kick off this vital project, expressing his readiness to facilitate all necessary efforts and capabilities so that the project gets accomplished as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, Director General of Kuwait Municipality Eng Ahmad Al-Manfouhi affirmed the keenness of the municipality for the execution of the developmental project of Salem Al-Mubarak Street. He said this project can be considered as a major vital project that will ensure positive returns for both the state and Hawally Governorate, indicating that the project, if it is implemented based on the plan, will contribute in developing the services of the governorate. Eng Al-Manfouhi said the project site is a street that is about one kilometer long starting from the “Al-Bishr” traffic signal. He indicated that all official approvals concerning the project have been obtained, and process is underway to execute the project as soon as possible.

Buildings
The new school buildings constructed by Ministry of Education are now under the spotlight as the issue of their safety incited a wide range of arguments concerning a possible danger they pose to students, teachers and administrative staff, reports Al-Rai daily. A source said the Undersecretary at Ministry of Education Dr Haitham Al-Athari has decided to engage neutral consultants to provide a report on the quality of newly constructed school buildings in Hawalli Educational Zone.

He added the Ministry of Public Works will also approve of the report, because the buildings are still under the warranty of concerned contractors. He said arguments still continue over the projects and question marks are raised in that regard.

Al-Athari notified his counterpart at the Ministry of Public Works that information gathered from the company which had executed the project and a subcontractor indicated aluminum works, window slides and glass drapes were safe, and there are no complaints in that concern. However, the engineering report presented by a concerned committee negated the claim, indicating the aluminum works, windows and glass drapes were dangerous to users.

In a similar case, Assistant Undersecretary for Educational Facilities and Planning at the Ministry of Education Dr Khalid Al-Rushaid forwarded another letter to the Ministry of Public Works. The letter, directed to the Assistant Undersecretary for Engineering Construction Projects, contained a comprehensive report about the issue. It also revealed that some parts of the schools constructed in South Surra contained cracks that had not been fixed from the date of sending the letter, and cited Umm Kalthoum School where the cracks are becoming worse and posing threats to students, teachers and administrative staff.

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