Cabinet briefed on steps taken to face damage caused by rains
Al-Jassar approved as new CSC chief
KUWAIT CITY, March 27, (KUNA): The Cabinet listened during its weekly session on Monday to a presentation by Minister of Public Works Abdulrahman Al-Mutawa on measures and steps taken to face damage caused by heavy rains that hit the country last week.
He told ministers about efforts made by all ministry’s teams to remove all obstacles that accumulated rainwater and caused traffic congestion on some roads across the country, Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs and Acting Information Minister Sheikh Mohammad Al-Abdullah Al-Mubarak AlSabah said in a statement following the meeting today.
Al-Mutawa also apprised ministers of the formation of a committee that includes representatives from Ministry of Public Works, Ministry of Water and Electricity, Kuwait University and Public Authority for Housing Welfare to unveil the causes of accumulated rainwater in several areas and who was responsible for this negligence.
The committee is asked to submit its report within two weeks. The Cabinet has extolled efforts made by all workers at Ministry of Public Works, Ministry of Interior and relevant bodies in dealing with this crisis, also referring to the positive role of citizens in helping security apparatuses in such emergency conditions.
The Cabinet also urged all concerned bodies to take all preventive measures so as to avoid the reoccurrence of such incident in the future, Minister Mohammad Al-Abdullah added.
The Cabinet then reviewed a report of the Central Agency for Public Tenders on a complaint by a company whose request was previously rejected.
It assigned Minister of Justice to form a committee to open an investigation into this incident and submit a report to the Cabinet within two weeks, Sheikh Mohammad Al-Abdullah said.
Afterwards, the Cabinet listened to a presentation by Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Sheikh Mohammad Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah on the outcomes of the fruitful visit by His Highness the Amir and his accompanying delegation to the Republic of Turkey.
During the visit, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah AlAhmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed deep-rooted and historic relations between the two countries, and means of promoting them in all fields to serve common interests.
Signing
The two leaders also shared views on the latest political developments in the region and international arenas.
The visit witnessed the signing of several agreements on the contribution to the response plan of refugees’ crisis in Turkey and on tourist cooperation, as well as two memoranda of understanding on military cooperation, the Cabinet statement noted.
In recognition of His Highness the Amir, President Erdogan bestowed upon His Highness the “Order of the State of Turkey”, the most prestigious decoration awarded to foreign figures.
In return, His Highness the Amir presented the Turkish President with Kuwait’s “Order of Mubarak Al-Kabeer”.
The Cabinet then discussed political affairs in light of relevant reports on the current political developments on Arab and international arenas.
It expressed its great sorrow over the “terrorist” attack that took place near the parliament in London last Wednesday, killing and wounding several people.
Meanwhile, the Cabinet approved Monday appointing Ahmad Khaled Al-Jassar as Chairman of the Civil Service Commission (CSC).
The ministers approved, during their weekly meeting, a draft decree appointing Al-Jassar in the post, succeeding Abdulaziz Al-Zaben, who submitted his resignation earlier, Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs and Acting Minister of Information Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah stated to KUNA.
The Cabinet expressed gratitude and appreciation to Al-Zaben’s efforts during his tenure, wishing him lasting good luck, Sheikh Mohammad Al-Abdullah noted.
In the meantime, the Cabinet has approved a draft decree promoting Maj. Gen. Mahmoud Al-Dosari as Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior, Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah said. Minister of Health Dr Jamal Al-Harbi disclosed a committee has been formed to discuss implementation of the automation system between the medical centers and hospitals to retrieve patients’ files.
On the sidelines of the opening of Mangaf Medical Center, Minister Al-Harbi noted some companies will
be qualified to carry out the project. He noted the service of an international firm will be secured to evaluate the project and make necessary recommendations in that concern.
He warned on the growing rate of chronic diseases, noting chronic diseases are the cause of about 70 percent of deaths in Kuwait.
He explained the number of medical centers in Ahmadi governorate has increased to 27, and that Mangaf Medical Center has capacity for 135,000 patients with two floors covering 3,300 square/meters area.
He noted the center specializes in family care, pediatrics, prenatal and emergency service. It also has clinics for dental, diabetes and chronic diseases, in addition to X-ray and vaccination centers. For his part, MP Hamdan Al-Azmi requested new medical centers for Sabah Al-Ahmad and Qurain areas, while MP Muhammed Turaiji congratulated the inhabitants of Mangaf for the new medical center.