Muscat: Characteristic of its many initiatives to promote social development in the country, Oman LNG today inked seven agreements that aim at enhancing and upgrading services and facilities provided by seven recognised care providers. The agreements come as part of Oman LNG collaboration with the Ministry of Social Development.
The agreements were signed at the Ministry of Social Development under the patronage of Shaikh Mohammed bin Sa'ayed al-Kalbani, Minister of Social Development.
Oman LNG, thus, continues to play its prominent role as the largest private sector investor in the Sultanate’s socio-economic fabric through its well-articulated social investment program, which is funded by one and half per cent of its net income after tax (NIAT).
In the first instance, Oman LNG’s support will facilitate the purchase of rehabilitation equipment for the autism centre working under the Association for the Welfare of Children with Disabilities.
This agreement was signed by Mohammad Ridha Hassan Suleiman, Chairman of the Association.
The second agreement will see Oman LNG funds the establishment and equipment of an autism centre in Sur, which will focus on yielding support to individuals living with autism and to generate further public awareness. Ahmed bin Said al-Muqbali, Director-General of Social Development in the Governorates of South and North A'Sharqiyah, signed the agreement.
To ease transportation worries, Oman LNG also signed five agreements with the Omani Association of Dawn Syndrome, the Omani Association of Elderly Friends, the Omani Woman Association in the wilayats of A'Seeb, Barka, and Bukha.
As per the agreements inked, Oman LNG will fund the purchase of a bus for each one of the associations with a total cost of RO57,500. The buses will further assist the associations in organizing various social activities for its members and targeted groups, and empower them to reach their aspirations and objectives.
The backing by Oman LNG, the country’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) production and export entity, is part of its vibrant social investment program that has seen it become a familiar name associated with a myriad of good causes, all of which are intended to push up the quality of life for citizens.
"The accords inked today are in line with the company's robust efforts to promote and upgrade social welfare programs for different segments of the society. This, in turn, encourages the building of a strong and vibrant society that values and cares for its people," said Khalid al-Massan, CEO of Oman LNG Development Foundation.
Oman LNG has an ambitious Social Investment Program addressing many areas of development in Oman, but broadly divided into three main categories: a Community Fund that targets initiatives related to the Sur Community where its world-class, three-train liquefaction plant is located; a National Fund that covers a large swath of the company’s social development program including Donations, National Projects and Human Resource Development; and a Reserve Fund to address the sustainability of the company’s social investment programs.
Oman LNG operates as a joint venture with a shareholding structure comprising the Government of Oman (51%), Shell Gas B.V (30%), Total S.A. (5.54%), Korea LNG (5%), Mitsubishi Corporation (2.77%), Mitsui & Co. (2.77%), Partex (Oman) Corporation (2%), and Itochu (0.92%).
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