Latest news with #OfficeoftheGovernor
GMA Network
11-07-2025
- GMA Network
Clutter, disrepair found at portion of Cebu bus terminal
The second floor of a portion of the Cebu South Bus Terminal (CSBT) was found to be in a cluttered, filthy condition. Personnel from the Office of the Governor and the Provincial Information Office conducted an inspection at CSBT, a Capitol-run bus terminal, and found the messy area of the facility. It was learned from CSBT Operations Head Rodenita Esgana that the area was used by previous tenants. Esgana said that it was in 2020 when portions of the said area started wearing away. The area was vacated when the tenants were transferred to a strip of the terminal dubbed 'Sugbo Sentro,' where food items are sold. Aside from thick dust that gathered through the years, materials removed from offices of previous tenants along with other pieces of trash, were left scattered in the area. Strips of the ceiling dangle, an apparent effect of Super Typhoon 'Odette' that wreaked havoc in the Visayas in 2021. It was learned that there are comfort room (CR) cubicles and urinals up for repair to be fully functional again. As of this writing, travelers avail of a privately-operated CR inside the terminal with corresponding fees. Passengers welcome the development, saying they have the option to use the public CR if they cannot afford the private toilet. While Governor Pamela Baricuatro has ordered the inspection, GMA Regional TV Balitang Bisdak has not sought her comment yet, as she is in Manila yet for an official trip. Meanwhile, Esgana vowed to do her job in assuring the overall cleanliness and maintenance of the said facility.
Observer
01-07-2025
- Business
- Observer
Innovation hackathon launches to advance digital transformation
MUSCAT, JULY 1 Al Dhahirah Governorate has launched one of its most ambitious digital initiatives to date, 'Al Dhahirah Tech Innovation Hackathon,' a three-day event aimed at empowering youth to develop innovative solutions to real-world challenges. Organised by the Office of the Governor and held under the auspices of Musallam bin Ahmed Al Maashani, Wali of Dhank, the event is being hosted at the University of Technology and Applied Sciences and has drawn over 200 participants from across Oman. Designed as a cornerstone of the governorate's vision to build a dynamic and inclusive digital society, the hackathon brings together university students, entrepreneurs, and tech enthusiasts to work collaboratively on technological solutions addressing service, environmental, and developmental issues. The initiative highlights Al Dhahirah's strategic focus on fostering innovation, strengthening digital capabilities, and engaging youth in shaping the future of their communities. Speaking to the Observer, Salem bin Ali al Mahrouqi, Director General of Administrative and Financial Affairs in Al Dhahirah Governorate and Chairman of the Hackathon's Supervisory Committee, described the event as a key platform to advance the governorate's digital transformation agenda. 'This hackathon reflects our commitment to creating a culture of innovation,' he said. 'It supports youth creativity, encourages entrepreneurial thinking, and leads to scalable, incubatable solutions tailored to the needs of the local community.' Al Mahrouqi added that digital transformation in Al Dhahirah has become a tangible reality, driven by a series of targeted initiatives that integrate technology across various aspects of life. 'This event brings together creative minds to chart a brighter, tech-enabled future for the governorate,' he noted. The opening ceremony featured a video presentation highlighting Al Dhahirah's performance in the Digital Transformation Excellence Assessment, overseen by the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology. The governorate recorded notable progress, underscoring its dedication to innovation-driven governance. The presentation also covered key statistics, including participant demographics, accepted challenges, and evaluation benchmarks. A panel discussion followed, featuring Eng. Othman al Mandhari, CEO of Innotech, who shared global best practices in modern construction automation. He emphasised the importance of adopting advanced technologies such as 3D printing in building smart, sustainable cities. Additional speakers included Khalisa Al Jahwari, who addressed the role of digital transformation in emerging economies, and Badr Al Rahbi of Doorly, who discussed technology's impact on Oman's real estate market. Throughout the hackathon, participants worked in teams to develop tech-driven solutions to challenges in areas such as smart government services, agriculture and water, education, community health, and logistics. The programme also featured technical workshops, mentorship sessions, and expert consultations to guide participants in refining their ideas into actionable prototypes. A judging panel will evaluate the solutions and award prizes to the top three teams, with a focus on innovation, feasibility, and impact. Beyond the competition, the initiative is expected to produce actionable recommendations and establish working groups to scale promising projects within the governorate.
Observer
28-06-2025
- General
- Observer
Mango Festival in Al Awabi highlights heritage
AL AWABI: The first edition of the Al Awabi Mangos Festival concluded in Al Alia village in the Wilayat of Al Awabi, Al Batinah South Governorate, on Saturday. The festival was organised by the Office of the Governor of Al Batinah South Governorate, in collaboration with several local institutions and farmers. The festival aimed to highlight the Omani mango tree and promote it as an agricultural heritage that represents an integral part of the village and region's identity. It also highlighted the agricultural importance and status of the mango tree in the community. Al Alia village is well-known for its abundant produce of high-quality mango varieties. Mango is a prolific fruit-bearing tree distinguished by its sweet, juicy flesh and rich flavour which placed it among the most-consumed highly-demanded fruits. The festival included a variety of cultural, agricultural and entertainment activities which appealed to various segments of society. Most notable among these were the market corner, which showcased local agricultural products and traditional handicrafts; the rural entrepreneurship corner, which showcased youth initiatives and projects; the small farmer corner, which taught children the principles and importance of agriculture and the interactive theatre corner, which hosted cultural, artistic and entertainment segments. The festival also included an awareness lecture on mango cultivation and care methods, an experience of picking the fruit directly from the trees, tours to explore the landmarks of Al Alia village and entertainment competitions. Mango Festival in Al Awabi highlights heritage Oman's commitment to mango cultivation is further reflected in a comprehensive scientific encyclopedia on the mango tree, considered the first of its kind globally. Commissioned in 2005 under the royal directives of the late His Majesty Sultan Qaboos, the encyclopedia took nearly a decade to complete and was launched in 2016 in Arabic, English, French and Spanish, with an electronic version also available for global access. This encyclopedia documents mango cultivation in 65 countries and serves as a vital scientific reference for protecting Omani mango varieties, combating agricultural pests and mitigating the effects of salinity on production. Historically, mango cultivation dates back around 6,000 years in South Asia and was introduced to Oman through ancient trade routes during the 10th century AD. Today, mango ranks as the fourth most important fruit crop in the Sultanate of Oman, after date palms, citrus fruits and bananas, with popular local varieties including Al Halkoom and Banana Stick. By celebrating this beloved fruit, the festival strengthens community ties to agricultural heritage and highlights the importance of conserving rare local varieties for future generations. TEXT & PHOTOS BY YAHYA AL SALMANI
Observer
16-06-2025
- Business
- Observer
Al Sharqiyah North grape fest highlights agricultural growth
MUSCAT: The Grape Festival in Al Sharqiyah North Governorate officially opened on Monday at Al Fursan Hall in Al Rawdah village, the Wilayat of Al Mudhaibi. Held under the auspices of Dr Saud bin Hamoud al Habsi, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, the event was jointly organised by the ministry and the Office of the Governor. It brought together farmers, entrepreneurs, agricultural engineers, the Majlis Ash'shura representatives, shaikhs and dignitaries. In his address, Governor Mahmoud al Thuhli praised the festival as a testament to successful collaboration between government bodies and the local community. He noted that since the inaugural event in 2023, grape cultivation in the governorate had expanded from 8 to 27 acres— a remarkable 238 per cent increase. The 2024 edition builds on this momentum with a model grape farm project aiming to cultivate an additional 100 acres, raising the total to 127 acres. Estimated production is set at 635 tonnes, with economic returns expected to surpass RO 1 million. Six high-quality international grape varieties — renowned for storability and transportability — have been introduced to enhance global market competitiveness. The festival aligns with 'Oman Vision 2040', promoting food security, supporting the agricultural sector, and fostering SME growth. It also aims to raise awareness about grape farming, encourage investment and create job opportunities through contract farming and agricultural associations. Dr Saud al Habsi, in his opening speech, underscored the festival's role in empowering farmers and advancing local agricultural production. The first day featured a documentary on grape farming in Oman and a presentation by Dr Rashid al Yahyai of Sultan Qaboos University, emphasising the role of biotechnology and farmer-academic collaboration in sectoral growth. On June 17, the festival continues with workshops and papers from agricultural bodies and banks. A special session will train women in grape-based food processing. Last year's festival saw the sale of over 10,000 kg of grapes and 4,000 seedlings. This year, projections surpass 15,000 kg, showcasing more than 50 grape varieties, including Flame Seedless, Crimson Seedless, Autumn Royal, Princess, Red Globe and Summer Royal — suitable for fresh consumption, juice and raisins. Participating institutions include Oman Agriculture Development Company, Oman Development Bank and Bank Dhofar, offering financial and marketing support alongside live grape-juicing demos. Now an annual highlight, the festival strengthens collaboration between the government, private sector and community, helping to build a robust, sustainable agricultural ecosystem that enhances local economic growth and national food security.
Muscat Daily
15-06-2025
- Business
- Muscat Daily
RO4.57mn infrastructure push to spur South Batinah economy
Muscat – South Batinah governorate has launched a few infrastructure and service projects worth more than RO4.57mn as part of its plans to boost investment, tourism and job opportunities across its wilayats. The projects, overseen by the South Batinah Governorate Development Committee under the Office of the Governor, cover Barka, Musannah, Wadi al Maawil, Al Awabi and Nakhal. Officials say the initiative supports the decentralisation goals set out in Oman's Tenth Five-Year Plan and Vision 2040. 'These projects aim to create an attractive and competitive environment for investment and sustainable growth,' said Saud bin Said al Maawali, Deputy Head of the Municipal Council and chairman of the committee. Among the largest projects is the Musannah Waterfront Development, a 2km site in the Al Uwaid area, now 35% complete. The RO1.7mn project will include restaurants, shops, play areas, sports facilities and beach activities. In Wadi al Maawil, a new commercial souq covering 16,000sqm is nearly finished. The RO319,000 project has 27 retail units, which is expected to boost local trade and tourism. The Al Awabi Souq is more than 70% complete. Built at a cost of RO200,000, it will have 16 shops across 1,200sqm, supporting small businesses in the wilayat. Nakhal's public park development is 70% complete. The RO452,000 project includes spaces for small and medium enterprises and productive families. In Barka, work continues on a waterfront project in the Al Muraisi area, now 55% done. The 2km development, costing RO1.9mn, will feature tourism and investment zones, sports and leisure facilities, and services for tour operators. 'These projects upgrade infrastructure and support SMEs, jobseekers and entrepreneurs in the region,' Maawali said. 'We aim to align our development priorities with the needs of citizens and sustainable growth principles.' The initiatives are expected to raise the quality of life and strengthen the local economy of South Batinah.
