Kuwait is not immune to quakes
PART obtains approval to maintain crossroads
KUWAIT CITY, April 16: Kuwaiti Earthquake Expert Dr Firyal Bou Rabea affirmed that Kuwait is not immune to earthquakes, and that destructive earthquakes can happen any time in Kuwait, reports Al-Qabas daily.
In an interview, she indicated that no part of the world is safe from earthquakes, ruling out that science and technology has reached a level of predicting earthquakes before they occur.
Dr Bou Rabea said, “Since the establishment of Kuwait Seismic Network, almost 930 earthquakes have been recorded including 39 with intensity ranging between 3 and 4.7 on the Richter scale while the rest are less than 3.”
She revealed that Kuwait University is in the process of establishing a new network for recording earthquakes to assist Kuwait Seismic Network in Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR).
Dr Bou Rabea said, “Even though there are risks of earthquakes in Kuwait, we can manage,” affirming that all buildings in Kuwait conform to the specifications of seismic code.
She concluded the interview by calling for establishing risk monitoring and preparation networks.
Public Authority for Roads & Transport (PART) has obtained the approval of Central Agency for Public Tenders (CAPT) to establish and maintain the crossroads on the Sixth Ring Road leading to the new residential areas west of Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh (Sabah Al-Nasser Bridge). The project was suspended for years due to a dispute between the Ministry of Public Works and the relevant contractor, reports Al-Rai daily. The daily quoting a reliable source said PART and the relevant contractor have reached an agreement according to which the contractor should finish the remaining activities of the project that started in 2011.
He added that PART is presently waiting for the approval of State Audit Bureau (SAB) to restart the project.
He added the agreement covers the withdrawal of lawsuits filed in this context and expected the approval of Audit Bureau in the coming month and accomplished within one year as per terms and conditions of the contract.