Latest news with #NESC
Zawya
3 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Oman: Nama subsidiaries unveil major initiatives for enhanced utility services
MUSCAT: Two key subsidiaries of the Nama Group — Nama Electricity Supply Company (NESC) and Nama Dhofar Services — in a media briefing held on Tuesday, May 27, unveiled their latest initiatives and strategic projects aimed at enhancing customer experience, promoting sustainability, and supporting Oman Vision 2040. The CEO of Nama Electricity Supply Company, Salim Said al Kamyani, outlined several major projects planned for 2025. Among them is the rollout of an advanced digital system allowing customers to track transactions in real time, view daily consumption through the mobile app, and automatically recharge their prepaid accounts. New features such as load management and real-time consumption tracking under the 'Sabiq' service will empower users to better control electricity usage. As part of its corporate social responsibility, NESC also launched the first phase of its Air Conditioner Maintenance Initiative to improve AC efficiency and reduce electricity bills. Complementing these efforts is the 'Sahalat' campaign, offering flexible payment options including: Thabit: A fixed monthly bill payment plan. Yusr: Monthly installment plans for customers with outstanding dues. Sabiq: A prepaid option with real-time monitoring for smarter energy use. Meanwhile, Nama Dhofar Services presented its 2024 achievements and future plans during the same media event. CEO Ali Issa Shamas announced large-scale infrastructure projects, including the RO 27 million Ashour desalination plant and a RO 35 million expansion of the wastewater treatment plant. The company also reported strong operational results: 99.7% water network reliability, over 22 million cubic meters of high-quality recycled water produced, and more than 56% of treated water reused. In electricity services, 84% of meters have been upgraded to AMR systems, supported by the launch of 33 e-services and electronic billing for customer convenience. Tenders worth RO 137 million were awarded for various service and grid expansion projects, including rural electrification aimed at replacing diesel generators and enhancing carbon neutrality. Human resource development was also highlighted, with 40,000 training hours recorded and a zero lost-time injury rate maintained since 2018. Customer satisfaction reached 75%, with 98% of complaints resolved. The company also launched innovative community programs such as the Nama Dhofar Services Hackathon and 'Nama Dhofar Memory' to strengthen documentation and knowledge management. These announcements underscore Nama Group's collective commitment to sustainable growth, enhanced utility services, and alignment with national development goals. 2022 © All right reserved for Oman Establishment for Press, Publication and Advertising (OEPPA) Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Observer
3 days ago
- Business
- Observer
Nama subsidiaries unveil major initiatives for enhanced utility services
MUSCAT: Two key subsidiaries of the Nama Group — Nama Electricity Supply Company (NESC) and Nama Dhofar Services — in a media briefing held on Tuesday, May 27, unveiled their latest initiatives and strategic projects aimed at enhancing customer experience, promoting sustainability, and supporting Oman Vision 2040. The CEO of Nama Electricity Supply Company, Salim Said al Kamyani, outlined several major projects planned for 2025. Among them is the rollout of an advanced digital system allowing customers to track transactions in real time, view daily consumption through the mobile app, and automatically recharge their prepaid accounts. New features such as load management and real-time consumption tracking under the 'Sabiq' service will empower users to better control electricity usage. As part of its corporate social responsibility, NESC also launched the first phase of its Air Conditioner Maintenance Initiative to improve AC efficiency and reduce electricity bills. Complementing these efforts is the 'Sahalat' campaign, offering flexible payment options including: Thabit: A fixed monthly bill payment plan. Yusr: Monthly installment plans for customers with outstanding dues. Sabiq: A prepaid option with real-time monitoring for smarter energy use. Meanwhile, Nama Dhofar Services presented its 2024 achievements and future plans during the same media event. CEO Ali Issa Shamas announced large-scale infrastructure projects, including the RO 27 million Ashour desalination plant and a RO 35 million expansion of the wastewater treatment plant. The company also reported strong operational results: 99.7% water network reliability, over 22 million cubic meters of high-quality recycled water produced, and more than 56% of treated water reused. In electricity services, 84% of meters have been upgraded to AMR systems, supported by the launch of 33 e-services and electronic billing for customer convenience. Tenders worth RO 137 million were awarded for various service and grid expansion projects, including rural electrification aimed at replacing diesel generators and enhancing carbon neutrality. Human resource development was also highlighted, with 40,000 training hours recorded and a zero lost-time injury rate maintained since 2018. Customer satisfaction reached 75%, with 98% of complaints resolved. The company also launched innovative community programs such as the Nama Dhofar Services Hackathon and 'Nama Dhofar Memory' to strengthen documentation and knowledge management. These announcements underscore Nama Group's collective commitment to sustainable growth, enhanced utility services, and alignment with national development goals.
Press and Journal
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Press and Journal
Cricket: Grades chief hails increased participation - but is on the hunt for new pitches
The president of North-East Scotland Cricket (NESC) Robin Taylor believes there is a strong appetite for the game in the region as he attempts to secure new playing facilities. This year eight new teams have joined the Grades, swelling the number of sides from 32 to 40 and leading to Grade Four being reintroduced. NESC chief Taylor has been encouraged by the increased participation at grassroots level this summer. The 59-year-old, who is in his second stint as president of the organisation, said: 'It's very positive that we've got more teams this year and that there are so many folk in the area wanting to play cricket. 'I think cricket is the most inclusive sport you'll find because we have games in the Grades where you have 11 and 12-year-olds playing alongside 70-year-olds. 'Male and female play together and there is also a wide range of nationalities that play. 'It's great to see a lot of clubs putting out more teams with the idea of giving youngsters a chance to play. 'The purpose of NESC is to promote involvement and development within the game and the more folk we have playing the better. 'There is a real appetite to play the game. A lot of clubs are running junior sections and getting a lot of children attending to take up the game.' However, one issue for cricket in the north-east is having enough facilities to meet demand. With more teams in the Grades this season some matches have had to be moved from Saturday to Sunday to allow them to be played. A number of clubs don't have their own ground with council-run facilities like the two pitches at Inverdee, as well as Duthie Park, Harlaw and Groats Road used by multiple sides. But Taylor is optimistic new venues for cricket can be secured and revealed there have been positive talks with Aberdeen City Council. He added: 'There has been an extra strain placed on facilities because we've got more fixtures to play. 'We had hoped there may be one or two new venues in place for the start of the season, but work is still ongoing on that front. 'The Inverdee facility has proved to be a wonderful thing and we're looking at whether it's possible to put in a third pitch at Inverdee. 'We've also spoken to Aberdeen City Council about other possible venues and those discussions are ongoing. 'There's a will on the council's side to help us if we can find suitable locations, their attitude and willingness to try to help us is very encouraging. 'Cricket is a big participation sport in the area and the more pitches we have access to the better really. 'Ideally if we could get at least another two venues that would be a big help to us and would allow more games to be played on Saturdays.' Aberdeenshire and Huntly are both aiming to make it two wins out of two in the North East Championship tomorrow. Both clubs started their season on a winning note and Shire welcome Freuchie to Mannofield this weekend, while Huntly are on the road and face Strathmore at Lochside Park. Stoneywood-Dyce aren't in league action this weekend, but visit Dumfries on Sunday in the first round of the Scottish Cup. In the same competition Aberdeenshire have home advantage against Grange and Huntly welcome East Kilbride to Castle Park. Meanwhile, in the Grades it's Gordonians v Crescent, Master Blasters Aberdeen v Aberdeen Grammar, Bon Accord v Mannofield, 2nd Aberdeen Grammar v Grampian and Knight Riders v Inverurie in Grade One. In Grade Two, Huntly are at home to 2nd Gordonians, 3rd Grammar play 2nd Knight Riders, 2nd Grampian tackle Fraserburgh, Cults meet Aberdeen Tigers and Banchory take on Portcullis. On Saturday in Grade Three Dunecht have home advantage against Crathie, Stonehaven Thistle meet 2nd Mannofield at Mineralwell Park and Stoneywood-Dyce host 2nd Banchory at People's Park. Then on Sunday 2nd Master Blasters play Ellon Gordon and 3rd Gordonians meet Methlick. The action in Grade Four sees 2nd Inverurie play Ceylon Deeside and 2nd Methlick face 2nd Fraserburgh on Saturday. On Sunday it's 3rd Knight Riders v Granite City, 3rd Grampian v 2nd Bon Accord and 3rd Mannofield v 2nd Stonehaven Thistle.
Irish Independent
06-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Changes to Rent Pressure Zones needed to cope with growing population, Cabinet to be told
The report by the National Economic and Social Council (NESC) – the body that advises the Taoiseach on policy and strategy – outlines proposals to ensure future population growth is spread across Ireland's five largest cities. Among its recommendations are that 'more flexible rent controls' are needed to increase housing supply. This report is separate to an 'options paper' on RPZs which has been presented to Housing Minister James Browne. That review outlines a number of options including allowing landlords to increase rents by more than the 2pc cap that is currently in place. The NESC report on 'Deepening Compact Growth in Ireland' will further feed into the Government's thinking on what to do when RPZs expire at the end of this year. RPZs were introduced in 2016 to try to calm soaring rents and have been extended ever since. They will need to stay in place for at least another two years while an alternative system of rent controls is formulated, Housing Commission chairman John O'Connor has said. The NESC report details how to ensure that at least half of the population growth between now and 2040 takes place within five cities and their suburbs. The Land Development Agency will have an important role in making this happen over the next 15 years. At least 50pc of that growth should be in Dublin and the other half in four other cities: Galway, Cork, Limerick and Waterford, the report said. Between 2016 to 2022, the share of population growth represented by the five cities was just 32pc. The National Planning Framework target of having 40pc of new housing developments within existing, built-up areas is now being achieved, but the NESC said even more could be done. The report, to be presented to the Cabinet by Taoiseach Micheál Martin, outlines the benefits of 'compact growth', including 'higher productivity and innovation, more sustainable travel, improved access to services and lower energy consumption'. The report welcomes commitments in the Programme for Government relevant to compact growth, including the creation of a new strategic fund to invest in infrastructure, the enactment of a new Compulsory Purchase Order Bill and ensuring every local authority has an expanded vacant property team in place. Other recommendations include: going further than the current target of having 40pc for new housing developments within existing built-up areas; increasing investment in cost-rental homes; developing a brownfield activation strategy; and encouraging 'densification of existing areas' including more use of corner sites, gardens and mews development. It also recommends an increase in public investment to unlock land suited for desirable compact growth. The NESC recommends the Government should, where possible, continue to seek reductions in the construction costs of apartments as well as houses and a 'more three-dimensional approach for planning in areas subject to the prospects of significant regeneration and change', to help people understand what is involved in new development and thereby facilitate deeper engagement. Meanwhile, the Cabinet will also discuss its latest economic and fiscal projections. Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe will get approval for the first Annual Progress Report, which will be presented to the European Commission. The report outlines how Ireland will comply with EU budget and debt rules, and replaces what used to be the Stability Programme Update. The EU is allowing opt-outs from the fiscal rules to allow states to spend more on defence. But Ireland is not expected to be among the countries that will seek such an exemption. Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan is also expected to seek approval to extend the laws allowing outdoor seating for licensed premises for another six months until the end of November 2025. The Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2021 was introduced as a temporary, Covid-related provision to facilitate safer outdoor socialising. The relevant provisions of the act can be extended for up to six months at a time by resolution of each House of the Oireachtas. The extension is requested to give clarity to licensed premises, local authorities and gardaí.
