KUWAIT CITY, Oct 16: As part of the ongoing cooperation between the Ministry of Public Works and the Ministry of Interior, a coordination meeting was held in which the Acting Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah, the Minister of Public Works Dr. Noura Mohammed Al-Mashaan, several assistant undersecretaries, department directors from both ministries, and those involved in road projects, operations, maintenance, and water projects participated.

During the meeting, Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef affirmed the Ministry of Interior’s keenness to support the Ministry of Public Works and the Public Authority for Roads and Transportation (PART). He stressed the importance of implementing the road maintenance plan based on the schedule, avoiding delays, and eliminating obstacles to ensure that projects can proceed effectively.

Insisting on the continuation of efforts to develop services, Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef highlighted the importance of meeting the citizens’ ambitions and addressing issues such as loose gravel and other challenges on the roads and streets once and for all. He called for the establishment of a joint operations room that operates around the clock, involving all parties concerned with road development in the country. In this context, the Minister of Public Works Dr. Noura Al-Mashaan announced that the Ministry of Public Works and PART will soon sign contracts for 18 tenders in the coming days. She revealed that these contracts will focus on comprehensive maintenance of all main expressways and internal streets in Kuwait’s six governorates, involving international, Gulf, and local companies.

The minister expressed appreciation for the efforts exerted by the Ministry of Interior in facilitating the work of existing authorities and developing plans to manage road conditions during the maintenance process, which includes closing certain roads and opening alternative routes to ensure smooth traffic flow. Dr. Al-Mashaan urged citizens and residents to cooperate with the ministry to expedite the completion of projects. She also asked for their understanding of the maintenance procedures, including road closures and lane changes, to achieve a new vision for Kuwait that aligns with future needs.

The minister indicated that the meeting was productive, as it thoroughly addressed all projects related to the road engineering sector, as well as the challenges and obstacles hindering the timely completion of certain initiatives. At the end of the meeting, it was agreed to launch a joint awareness campaign among all relevant state agencies. The campaign aims to educate the public about traffic warnings, instructions, and temporary road closures to promote safe driving during maintenance and road improvement periods. Citizens will receive updates on road work through notifications via Sahel app to ensure the safety of road users.

By Mohammed Ghanem
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff