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Oman LNG’s social investment programmes aim at achieving development of the community

Oman LNG’s social investment programmes, which started when it began construction in 1996, work with the clarity that business projects require. Ali al Hashar, acting corporate affairs manager, Oman LNG, explains, “In the projects we implement, we have key performance indicators. We check if it provides employment because that is essentially what the country needs. Income generation is another factor.”

Method funding
The company’s social investment programmes work through a forum that consists of nine members – representatives from the ministries, national representatives selected by Oman LNG, as well as representatives from the Majlis al Shura and Oman LNG. Hashar, who is secretary of the forum, says, “The forum decides on the programmes that are proposed – either initiatives or requests received from the public. There are terms of reference for the forum and they state how things will work.”

In the beginning, when the first of the proj-ects started, it was simplicity that got things going. Like the idea to raise honeybees. The Ministry of Social Development identified a group of people who needed help. Instead of giving them a pension on a monthly basis, the Ministry decided to train them to generate income for themselves. “We provided the tools for raising bees while the Ministry provided the training for the families. The families start their operations and sell their produce.” The project has been implemented in Wadi Bani Khalid and Sur. Hashar adds, “It is a good idea that we are looking to implement in other areas of Oman as well.”

Understanding that people in different areas have different needs was what led to another basic project in Qalhat, whose villages are home to several herders. “The herders had noticed some diseases in the animals, which are the main source of income for them. They wanted regular treatment for the animals, but did not have resources to provide the same.” In 2002, Oman LNG stepped in. The animals mainly had skin problems, so the company provided a treatment pool.

Outreach programmes
The development of remote villages is another important objective in the company’s social responsibility chart. “We have noticed that people in Qalhat get a certain volume of drin-king water every week, which is not adequate for entire families. Our idea is to fix a desalination centre for Qalhat, with support from the Ministry of Housing, Electricity and Water. We fund the project while they operate it. And residents can get water from this desalination centre instead of depending on tankers.” The desalination project is in the consultancy stage. It should be in place in the next 18 months. Oman LNG holds road shows to explain its social investment programmes. Initiatives in conjunction with the various ministries, among them the housing scheme with support from the Ministry of Housing, and providing sunshades for schools through the Ministry of Education, are part of the collaboration side of things.