MUSCAT — The Majlis Ash’shura yesterday hosted Shaikh Saif bin Mohammed al Shabibi, Housing Minister, who gave a comprehensive view of the ministry’s plans and touched on many issues relating to the ministry’s current and future policies, plans and programmes and the procedures followed in the housing sector. The 17th meeting of the Majlis Ash’shura was held under the chairmanship of Shaikh Khalid bin Hilal al Maawali, Chairman of the Majlis.
After the minister gave a statement, the floor was opened for discussions between the minister and Majlis members. The members raised several topics and specific issues concerning the performance of the ministry and evaluation of its policies.
They raised many observations and proposals, particularly with regard to the conditions for selecting sites of layouts for different purposes and schemes, importance of the provision of basic services in new housing schemes that distributed by the ministry for various uses.
The members also raised the terms and basis for changing land use and fees change, social housing, housing loans and aids, those implemented or waiting for implementation and the ministry’s plans to deal with them.
The members also asked the minister regarding the importance of facilitating and simplifying procedures and formalities in ministry, criteria and foundations of private property expropriation, claims of possession and acquisitions, the subject of the development of Al Hafa area and identifying tourist land plots, in addition to land plots and large spaces reserved for some government departments and the possibility of converting them into residential layouts among other topics.
The discussions will continue today between the minister and the members. It is expected that the issue of the lands affected by Al Batinah coastal road will be raised in today’s session. — ONA
