Ashghal

Ashghal (Arabic: هيئة الأشغال العامة‎) is the Public Works Authority of Qatar headquartered in Al Dafna, Doha. Ashghal was established based on the Emiri Decree issued by the Father Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani on January 20, 2004, as an autonomous body to design, deliver and manage all infrastructure related projects as well as public amenities of the State. Ashghal is responsible for the construction and maintenance of local roads, drainage systems, highways and public buildings like mosques, schools, hospital, health centers, parks, etc.

Public Works Authority 'Ashghal' هيئة الأشغال العامة
Government
IndustryConstruction, infrastructure
Founded2004
HeadquartersAl Faisal Tower, Al Dafna, Doha
Key people
Dr. Eng. Saad Ahmed Al Mohannadi (President)
Number of employees
2,500 (December 2012)
Websitewww.ashghal.gov.qa

Organizational structure

The current president of Ashghal is H.E. Dr. Eng. Saad Ahmed Al Mohannadi.[1]

Ashghal’s business units consist of five major affairs:[2]

  • Infrastructure Affairs
  • Asset Affairs
  • Buildings Affairs
  • Technical Support Affairs
  • Shared Services Affairs

Programmes

Ashghal currently has the following key programmes:[3]

  • The Expressway Programme[4]
  • The Local Roads & Drainage Programme[5]

Responsibilities

Ashghal is responsible for building infrastructure facilities for the 2022 FIFA World Cup hosted by Qatar.[6] The Arab country plans to spend up to $100 billion[7] in infrastructure projects between 2013 and 2022. Various companies like CH2M Hill,[8] KBR,[9] and Parsons Brinckerhoff[10] are associated with many of Ashghal's projects.

Criticisms

Ashghal has been awarded many contracts and infrastructure projects contributing to preparations for the 2022 World Cup in Doha.[11] Qatar has received a substantial amount of criticism and controversy surrounding their World Cup bid, most of which surrounds the treatment labor workers hired for infrastructure projects. Reports from multiple sources estimated that roughly 4000 migrant workers would lose their lives in the building process, many of them unaccounted for, one estimate claiming at least one worker a day would die.[12] Sharan Burrow, of the International Trade Union Confederation claimed that the workers were “basically slaves”, claiming that “the Qatari government [has] no commitment to human rights.”[13]

References
  1. "HH the Emir Appoints President and Assistant President of Public Works Authority". Qatar News Agency. 4 January 2016. Archived from the original on 30 March 2017. Retrieved 29 March 2017.
  2. Public Works Authority Official Website - About Ashghal
  3. Gulf Times newspaper - Ashghal Projects
  4. Gulf Times newspaper - Expressway contracts awarded
  5. "The peninsula newspaper - Road projects deals signed". Archived from the original on 16 April 2014. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
  6. Qatar wins right to host 2022 World Cup, BBC 2 Dec 2010
  7. "Peninsula News 5 December 2010". Archived from the original on 8 December 2010. Retrieved 4 July 2013.
  8. Amey Info January 28, 2013 Archived 4 March 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  9. "Peninsula 9 February 2011". Archived from the original on 13 February 2011. Retrieved 4 July 2013.
  10. Arabian Industry 22 June 2013
  11. "Qatar cuts spending on new health facilities - official". Reuters. 25 May 2016. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  12. Booth, Robert (26 September 2013). "Qatar World Cup construction 'will leave 4,000 migrant workers dead'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  13. Montague, James (1 May 2013). "World Cup hosts Qatar face scrutiny over 'slavery' accusations - CNN.com". CNN. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
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