Tribune News Network
Doha
Prime Minister and Minister of Interior HE Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani on Sunday witnessed the signing of Qatar’s first public-private partnership contract for a sewage treatment plant.
To be located in Birkat Al Awamer near Mesaieed City, the plant will be built under the Al Wakrah and Al Wukair Sewage Treatment Works (STW) project.
The agreement was signed by the Public Works Authority (Ashghal) and Metito Utilities Limited, a consortium of Al Attiya Motors & Trading Company and Gulf Investment Corporation (GIC).
The project, which will begin construction this year and finish in 2026, will cost QR5.4 billion over 25 years of its operation. It will attract over QR2.7 billion in foreign investments and around 60 percent of the project’s fixed costs will be spent on local purchases.
When it is ready in 2026, the plant will turn 150,000 cubic metres of sewage per day into something that is as good as tap water. The treated sewage effluent (TSE) from the plant will be used primarily for irrigation.
Depending on sewage flows, the capacity can be increased to 600,000 cubic metres per day by 2045. It will serve 300,000 residents in areas including Al Wakra, Al Wukair, Al Meshaf, Doha South and Industrial Area in the south of Qatar in the initial phase.
Ashghal President Saad bin Ahmad Al Muhannadi signed the deal with representatives of the consortium in the presence of several ministers and other dignitaries.
Minister of Commerce and Industry HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al Abdullah Al Thani said the signing the contract was a culmination of Qatar’s efforts to consolidate partnership between the public and private sectors on the one hand, and attract and stimulate local and foreign investments on the other.
“Qatar views the private sector as a strategic partner in implementing its goals and development plans aimed at achieving its National Vision 2030.
The Ashghal president said The Al Wakrah and Al Wukair STW project was the first in the field of drainage infrastructure in Qatar to be implemented under the public-private partnership system.
“The total cost of the project over 25 years of operation is more than QR5.4 billion.
Through Al Wakrah and Al Wukair STW, he said, treated water will be produced according to highest international specifications and standards to be used in increasing green areas in different area of the country.
