MP laments delay in completion of Shadadiya University’s ‘facilities’
Finance’s measures did not affect investment expenditure
KUWAIT CITY, June 10: Head of the Parliamentary Education Affairs Committee MP Awdah Al-Ruwei’e announced that the committee will hold a meeting immediately after Eid holiday. The meeting will be attended by the Minister of Education and Higher Education Hamed Al-Azmi to discuss the latest development concerning the Shadadiya University to determine its opening and actual operation date, reports Al-Shahid Daily
In his statement to the daily, Al-Ruwei’e lamented the unfortunate process, which has rendered the university not operational to this day despite the law approved by the Parliament determines the university will become operational in 2019.
MP Al-Ruwei’e explained that several buildings and facilities are yet to be completed, and making it impossible for students to enter its colleges. He elaborated the committee will request Minister Al-Azmi to expedite the equipment process of some of the colleges in a manner that will enable the campus to partially operate in the next academic year.
Discuss
Meanwhile, MP Al-Ruwei’e reiterated the committee in the course of summer will discuss several issues, among them allied occupations, education and universities’ law, indicating there are those urging the committee to look into laws that protect the teacher, affirming that “laws that apply on government employees also apply on teachers in terms of protection.”
Meanwhile, responding to a parliamentary question from MP Muhammad Al-Dalal, Finance Minister Dr Nayef AlHajraf disclosed that his ministry took necessary measures to cut down public spending but the step did not affect investment expenditure in any way, reports Al-Qabas daily.
He explained that investment expenditure rather recorded one percent increase compared to the previous fiscal year, rising from 17 percent to 18 percent.
He stressed the ministries and other official bodies have since streamlined spending on some items as well, including hospitality, festivals, external missions, newspapers and circulars.
Al-Hajraf pointed to the ministry adopting a mechanism to reform the system of allocating public projects through engineering and costs planning. He added the ministry instituted a new plan to rationalize State subsidies.
He also said a study relating to the rationalization of fuel consumption commenced 2017 based on a decision issued in August 2016 by the Cabinet to set fuel prices, adding results of the study have since been referred to the National Assembly.
Price
He added the prices of water and electricity have been revised among other public services, and the new prices will be taken into consideration in the signing of new contracts to match the current situation and balance the market. He reiterated a study is underway to set prices for different services in order to control production cost while reducing pressure on public budget.
In the meanwhile, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor has announced the launch of an electronic control and automated recruitment project in cooperative societies, reports Aljarida daily.
On the sidelines of a ceremony held in honor of people with special needs, Assistant Undersecretary for Cooperative Sector in the ministry Abdulaziz Shuaib said the percentage of implementation of Kuwaitization policy in cooperative societies has increased in the last four months.
He indicated that implementation of the Kuwaitization policy needs time to ensure there is no interference in the services provided by cooperative societies.