Oman completes waste disposal privatisation
The Oman Environmental Services Holding Company—also known as Be’ah—is close to completing the transfer of waste management operations in each of its 11 governorates to international operators, said a statement from the Oxford Business Group.
MUSCAT: With big plans for the modernisation of its waste management operations underway, including a transfer of the existing national infrastructure to international operators, Oman is nearing completion of major reforms in the sector.
The Oman Environmental Services Holding Company— also known as Be’ah—is close to completing the transfer of waste management operations in each of its 11 governorates to international operators, said a statement from the Oxford Business Group (OBG).
The move is part of a waste management plan that aims to modernise and restructure the handling, treatment and disposal of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) and expand the country’s capacity for recycling and waste-based energy generation.
Companies having been awarded contracts include Spain’s Urbasar, which is currently working for the Al Batinah South governorate; Dubai-headquartered Averda, which won the contract to manage Dakhiliyah and Dhofar; and a joint venture between Oman’s Al Ramooz and France’s Veolia for operations in Al Dhahirah and Buraimi.
Al Batinah North and Musandam will be operated by a consortium between Oman’s Khimji Ramdas, the United Arab Emirates’ Imdaad and India’s Ramky Enviro Engineers. South Al Sharqiyah has been awarded to Suma from Portugal.
Details of the two biggest contracts—for operations in Muscat—are still to be announced, said the statement.
Part of the handover process includes a move by Be’ah to per- manently close all of the country’s 317 dumpsites, which have been deemed environmentally and hygienically unsuitable.
The dumpsites will then be replaced by 10 to 11 engineered landfill sites and 18 to 25 transfer stations. Over 220 dumpsites have been closed, with the remainder set for closure by early 2019, according to Mohammed Sulaiman Al Harthy, executive vice president for Strategic Development at Be’ah.