Oman's Sultan Haitham revealed the establishment of a new city on the outskirts of Muscat specifically designed to house low-income Omani inhabitants. The project, known as Sultan Haitham City, will cover 14.8 million square metres of land and include 20,000 homes. The city will be able to house up to 100,000 people and will have amenities such as schools, places of worship, hospitals, a university, and shopping malls.
Construction commencing next year
Since Construction is scheduled to commence early next year, with an estimated completion time of three years. The unveiling ceremony for this ambitious undertaking took place at Al Alam Palace in Muscat, attended by cabinet ministers and dignitaries. According to an anonymous official.
As the establishment of this city is a generous gesture from the Sultan to provide a gift to ordinary Omanis struggling to afford their own properties. Priority will be given to married couples experiencing difficulties with rental expenses in their current homes.
Positive response from residents
People like Mohammed Al Esri, a retail assistant in Muscat who expressed appreciation for the programme targeted at aiding those with limited incomes, have responded to the announcement with delight. Al-Esri expressed his joy and praised the Sultan for his generosity. The social security programme in Oman provides benefits to a large number of low-income people, including those making the minimum wage, orphans, widows, divorcees, single women, convicts' families, the disabled, and older citizens.
The overcrowded conditions
Furthermore, individuals residing in cramped family accommodations are welcoming the news. Abdullah Al Khusaibi, a university student, highlighted the overcrowded conditions in his four-bedroom house shared by 16 family members. He expressed hope that the announcement would provide an opportunity for his married brothers to secure their own accommodations, alleviating the overcrowding.
Boosting Oman's economy
Experts predict that the development plan will inject new vitality into Oman's economy. Khalid Al Barwani, an economist at Muscat Finance Company, emphasised that the new city's inclusion of schools, a university, hospitals, shopping arcades, landscaping, and transportation units will stimulate economic growth, create job opportunities, and foster new businesses. Al Barwani views this project as a significant step in the continued development and expansion of the city of Muscat.
