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By Mohamed Husain.
Tobruk, 19 May 2015:
Despite the current political crisis, Tobruk is looking to grow. The local projects office of the Housing . . .[restrict]and Infrastructure Board (HIB) has met with officials from other local organisations as well the agent of a major US infratructure and construction company to assess potential projects in the area.
“The purpose and aim of the meeting was to prepare a strategy for development of Tobruk,” said Tahir Tayeb Manager who heads the HIB Tobruk branch.
As well as the American company, representatives from the municipal council, Tobruk port and the Omar Al-Mukhtar University branch in the town plus other urban planning, transportation and infrastructure officials attended the meeting. It took place on Sunday.
Tobruk, said Tayeb, wanted to adopt a development strategy that was focused. It was also hoping for support from the Saudi-based Arab Urban Development Institute which works for planned urban growth in the Middle East and North Africa. “We have full confidence in this institute to structure the town’s resources and those of its partners to help in a development process that will be well integrated, and implemented,” Tayeb added.
Among the many goals envisaged, he said, were training people and building up a skilled local workforce, the creation of jobs, local business growth – and all within a decentralised system based on new legislative rules.
Tobruk was also looking to identify regional and international consultants, Tabyeb explained, adding that all development would be carried out with full transparency. Stopping indiscriminate development and urban sprawl was a prime objective, he stated. Tobruk’s development had to be properly managed and in keeping with international norms.
“Tobruk is, thankfully, a safe location”, he pointed out, adding that several new projects would be announced “shortly”.
Significantly, given the town’s suuprt for decantralisation, no government representatives were at the meeting.
Meanwhile, in another sign of Tobruk’s development ambitions, the Municipal Council had talks yesterday with Italian construction company TOMA, based north of Venice, about it opening an office in the town. According to municipal councillor Faraj Yassin, TOMA also presented plans for a garbage recycling plant in Tobruk. [/restrict]
