Kuwait Times

Published Date: September 04, 2008

KUWAIT: The Public Action Bloc's threats to grill His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Sabah appear to have galvanized other parliamentary blocs, which are now supporting the interpolation motion. The other blocs are believed to have changed their stance over the grilling in light of the government's stance on the Fourth Refinery project, reported Al Rai. Some ministers, however, have voiced support for oil minister Mohammed Al-Olaim, especially after unidentified sources revealed
that he is contemplating resignation over the problems regarding the issue. A number of ministers have rejected pressure from MPs for restrictions on government projects.

Consultation meeting

KUWAIT: National Assembly (NA) Speaker Jassem Al-Khorafi said that a consultation meeting is to be held on Sunday next in MPs' presence. Al-Khorafi told reporters that he hopes that there will be coordination with the heads of parliament committees to establish each committee's priorities. On the subject of the emergency session to be held for the discussion of labor issues, the NA Speaker told reporters that MP Faisal Al-Mislim has informed him that he has found enough MPs who agree with the petition to h
old the session, but certain formalities are still pending, such as signing the petition. Al-Mislim said that 34 MPs have agreed to attend the emergency session to discuss expatriate labor issues, emphasizing that no MP has refused to sign the petition. Some MPs are still outside Kuwait, however, he explained, and he is trying to reach them.

8th Ring Road plan

KUWAIT: The Ministry of Public Works (MPW) has decided to go ahead with the third stage of the Eighth Ring Road project without the approval of the Ministry of Oil. This follows the Oil Ministry's previous rejection of several Public Works Ministry's plans which it says delayed completion of a number of projects. An MPW official said that, although the ministry was keen to coordinate with the oil ministry, the latter's rejection of some proposals had led to its decision to go ahead with oil ministry appro
val. The new, 67-kilometer ring road will include three lanes on each side, with a 120 kph speed limit, as well as ten bridges, reported Al Watan.

Retirees' salaries

KUWAIT: October salaries would be given to retirees before the occasion of Eid Al-Fitr, said the Public Institution For Social Security (PIFSS) yesterday. The initiative came according to the directives of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and instructions by Minister of Finance and Chairman of PIFSS directors board Mustafa Al-Shimali, Director General of the Institution Fahad Al-Rajaan told the press. PIFSS also did a similar step before the beginning of the Holy
month of Ramadan through the early cash of September salaries, Al-Rajan recalled. Meanwhile, he stated that the KD 50 increase to salaries of retirees had been compatible with the statute of PIFSS, adding that the institution would carry on procedures for the increase soon. The cabinet recently approved this increase, concluded the official

MoE transfer rules
KUWAIT: The Ministry of Education (MoE) has mandated that administrative employees must spend at least three years working at one school before being entitled to request a transfer, an official told the Kuwait Times. The move comes as part of the implementation of the ministry's Undersecretaries' Council's report, the official explained, adding that a further decision will shortly be issued to set certain dates for accepting transfer requests.

Retirees' salaries
KUWAIT: October salaries would be given to retirees before the occasion of Eid Al-Fitr, said the Public Institution For Social Security (PIFSS) yesterday. The initiative came according to the directives of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and instructions by Minister of Finance and Chairman of PIFSS directors board Mustafa Al-Shimali, Director General of the Institution Fahad Al-Rajaan told the press. PIFSS also did a similar step before the beginning of the Holy
month of Ramadan through the early cash of September salaries, Al-Rajan recalled. Meanwhile, he stated that the KD 50 increase to salaries of retirees had been compatible with the statute of PIFSS, adding that the institution would carry on procedures for the increase soon. The cabinet recently approved this increase, concluded the official.

Public Works slammed

KUWAIT: The Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor slammed the Ministry of Public Works for delaying the finalization of some leading projects. In a message sent to the ministry, it demanded to know the reasons for the delays in accomplishing the Andalus suburb and Riggae projects especially since both projects were way beyond schedule. It said the contracts of both projects were signed in 2004 and the Ministry of Public Works commenced the projects the same year. Both projects were scheduled for completion
on November 19 2006 but until now only 48 per cent have been completed. The projects include construction of a health center, a supermarket, commercial shops, and two buildings; one for the municipality and another for the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, reported Al-Qabas. Public Works officials however said the projects might be completed at the end of the current year.

Syrian dupes Kuwaitis

KUWAIT: Several victims complained of a Syrian expatriate who published an advertisement in the newspapers. He offered attractive rates for pilgrims planning to go for Umrah during the holy month of Ramadan. Tens of Kuwaiti citizens visited his office and paid for the attractive package that included accommodation at hotels, as well as air tickets. The expat reportedly received approximately KD 100,000 and departed Kuwait before the travel date of the pilgrims, reported Al-Watan. The victims took the vouch
ers that they received from the expat and handed them over to the Nugra police station. Police however promised they would follow up the case in cooperation with the Interpol.