KUWAIT CITY, July 23: In collaboration with the First Group Company for General Trading and Contracting, the Public Authority for Housing Welfare (PAHW) has commenced the infrastructure construction project for the West Sabah Al-Ahmad Residential City. This project includes the construction and maintenance of the infrastructure in West Sabah Al-Ahmad City, such as the road, electricity, water, and drainage networks, the public service facilities, and a total of 587 houses.

Chairman of the First Group Company for General Trading and Contracting Engineer Emeel Abdallah explained that the company delivered the completed infrastructures to the respective public institutions including Public Authority for Housing Welfare, Ministry of Communications, Ministry of Public Works, Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy, Ministry of Interior, and the Public Authority for Agricultural Affairs and Fish Resources (PAAAFR). These institutions initially received the subsidiary infrastructures and have a couple of weeks to provide any feedback, which will be addressed accordingly.

The infrastructures that have already been handed over represent the first phase of the project. The second phase, which consists of fully constructed 587 houses, will be delivered on Wednesday, July 24. The third phase, involving the public service facilities, will be handed over on Thursday, July 25. Abdullah revealed that the project, which was launched on November 7, 2021, was not an easy task, indicating that it was completed as scheduled despite the difficulties and challenges faced by First Group Company for General Trading and Contracting.

He explained that the project began during the time when the COVID-19 crisis emerged, during which there was a curfew and a shortage of workers. However, the company managed to overcome those challenges by hiring 600 workers from Nepal to replace the workers who belonged to specific nationalities that were barred from entering Kuwait. The project involved an average of 2,200 engineers and workers, which would increase to 3,000 during certain periods. The project spans a total area of 582,000 square meters and costs a total of KD 68 million.

It involves the use of the latest modern styles and incorporates high-quality materials, some of which are being used in Kuwait for the first time. Additionally, sustainable energy adoption was a priority for the company, with the medical center equipped with a solar energy system and the houses featuring central heaters aimed at reducing traditional energy consumption by nearly 20 percent. The houses are supplied with luxurious finishing touches, including central water filters, suspended ceilings, energy-efficient central air conditioning, fully furnished kitchens and bathrooms, and high-quality wooden doors and windows.

Abdullah pointed out several technical challenges the company faced during the project implementation, including uneven ground levels that required extensive effort to level by filling low areas with sand up to two to four meters high. He revealed that the company, despite having a grace period beyond the scheduled completion date, did not need to utilize it, as they finished the project earlier than planned. Abdullah highlighted the keenness of the First Group Company for General Trading and Contracting to be one among the real estate developers in Kuwait to work in line with Kuwait’s future strategy, due to its 30 years of experience in this field, particularly in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait where they have executed numerous major projects.

He said, “Currently, the company is involved in several projects in Kuwait, such as constructing three towers in the Hessa Al-Mubarak project, developing public facilities in Al-Mutlaa Residential City and West Abdullah Mubarak City, establishing youth centers for young men and women in Sabah Al-Ahmad City, and completing infrastructure works in the southern part of Sabah Al-Ahmad City.” Abdullah expressed appreciation for the cooperation and support received from various public institutions in Kuwait.

Meanwhile, the Construction Manager at First Group Company for General Trading and Contracting Engineer Hesham Roshdy affirmed the commitment of the company to implement the most advanced designs, utilize top-quality materials, and hire highly efficient and innovative engineers and most skilful workers. He expressed the company’s readiness to receive feedback from the relevant institutions within the next few weeks, which will be promptly addressed.

By Saeed Mahmoud
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff