Multi-million reclamation deal signed

Manama, Apr27(BNA)A multi-million reclamation deal has today been signed as part of the projected East Sitra Town. The contract has been awarded to UAE-based National Marine Dredging Company(NMDC) in a package worth BD89.1 million. Housing Minister Basem bin Yacoub Al-Hamer sealed the deal with (NMDC) Chairman Mohamed Thani Murshed Al Rumaithi. UAE Ambassador to Bahrain Mohammed Sultan Saif Al-Suweidi attended the signing ceremony along with ministry and (NMDC) officials. The East Sitra Town reclamation contract is the first housing agreement to be funded by the GCC Development Programme (GCC Marshall Plan). Under the deal, the UAE firm will undertake the preliminary reclamation work in the land which was donated by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa to construct the East Sitra Project. The mega-project will feature up to 5,000 housing units, in addition to service facilities and industrial zones. The reclamation work is expected to last thirty months and the priority will be given to site of the housing project. Meanwhile, the ministry will conceive the blueprints and designs of the housing units and infrastructure components in cooperation with specialised consultancy firms. NMDC is one of the leading companies providing Dredging, Reclamation, and Marine construction projects in the Middle East, boasting long-standing expertise and cutting edge dredging technologies.The minister expressed delight at signing the deal with National Marine Dredging Company(NMDC), stressing his full confidence in the capacity of the firm to undertake the mega-project as stipulated in the contract. He stressed the importance of the project, describing the East Sitra Town as a key pillar in the strategy which aims at low-income citizens who are on the waiting list adequate social housing.The East Sitra Town project is part of a massive plan to construct a total of 40,000 units to meet the needs of people on the waiting lists. His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa gave directives to fast-track the strategy in his keynote address marking the National day and the Accession Day. The minister paid tribute to HM the King for donating the land to construct the massive project in East Sitra. He lauded His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister for their support. Mr. Al-Hamer commended the UAE leadership, Government and people for their stance in support of Bahrain in all fields. A H N