Muscat – Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) has committed to support a host of new initiatives which will benefit communities and boost sustainable development across the sultanate.

The initiatives include commitments in the key areas of health, safety and environment (HSE), community infrastructure development as well as sponsoring several programmes in education, culture and sports.

Twelve memoranda of collaboration (MoCs) confirming these commitments were signed at an official ceremony held under the patronage of Sheikh Nasser bin Hilal al Mawali, chairman of State Audit Institution, on Tuesday at Crowne Plaza Muscat.

To support the provision of the best health services, PDO is funding the procurement of new medical equipment, which will be distributed by the Ministry of Health among local hospitals and health centres.

In addition, to support the company’s goals towards HSE excellence, PDO is sponsoring the installation of solar powered streetlights on the Adam-Haima road as well as Hamra Ad’ Duru road junctions, which will benefit more than a hundred villages in the surrounding areas.

Other projects include the construction of a Camel Racetrack in Maqshan, a walkway in Thamrait, and an air-conditioned passage in Izki Hospital that will link the emergency building with the health centre.

Steve Phimister, managing director of PDO, who signed several of these agreements on behalf of PDO with high-ranking government officials, said, “We continue to expand our social investment programme to support the communities in which we operate.”

He added that PDO’s dedication and support are aimed at meeting community needs by providing critical facilities and services in areas such as HSE and cultural preservation.

“We will thrive only if the communities in which we work prosper, and these initiatives will undoubtedly empower residents and contribute to the sustainable development of Omani communities.”

One of the agreements signed at the event is for sponsorship of a study of a pilot project targeting Wadi al Hawasinah that will help in understanding the impact of climate change.

PDO has also signed an agreement to sponsor programmes and activities of the Cultural Club and Geological Society Oman. Additionally, it will sponsor Oman’s Paralympics team at Asian Games 2022.