Satyendra Pathak
Doha
Qatar Fuel Company (Woqod) has decided to convert all Sidra stores into supermarkets and allow commercial advertisements at fuel stations.
Decisions to this effect were taken during the company's extraordinary general assembly meeting in Doha on Wednesday.
Talking to Qatar Tribune on the sidelines of the meeting, Woqod CEO Ibrahim Jaham al Kuwari said the number of items sold at existing Sidra stores inside Woqod fuel stations will be increased and they will be converted into supermarkets.
He said all the upcoming Sidra stores will be developed on the concept of supermarkets and necessary changes will be made to exiting ones to accommodate more items.
"Now Sidra stores will be like any other supermarket. Starting from groceries, other daily use items will be available there," he said.
Kuwari said all Woqod fuel stations will now allow commercial advertisements on the premises.
"Very soon we will fix prices and rents for advertisements inside Woqod stations for interested parties to advertise their products and services," he said, adding that all these decisions will be implemented soon.
About longer fuel hoses at Woqod stations, Kuwari said,"All our fuel stations will be equipped with longer fuel hoses by June 6. They will be operational from the next day."
He said these longer hoses will be instrumental in reducing waiting time at petrol stations.
Kuwari said 20 more mobile fuel stations in addition to the existing six will become operational by the end of this year. Most of the mobile stations will be located in densely populated areas of Doha, he said.
Woqod has also placed orders for 30 more mobile fuel dispensing vehicles, which will be delivered to the company next year, he added. These fuel dispensing vehicles will be utilised as per the instructions of the Qatari government.
A decision to abolish the requirement of minimum 100 shares to become a shareholder in the company was also taken during the meeting. Now, it will require just one share to become a shareholder, Kuwari said. The meeting also decided to raise the minimum number of board meetings to six a year.