MoW’s Assistant Undersecretary for Construction and Maintenance Projects Mona Al Motawa revealed that the Ministry has completed the foundation and construction works for the main building of Busaiteen Social Centre, belonging to the Ministry of Social Development, whose implementation commenced beginning of this year. Al Motawa explained that the BD835,000 project was awarded to Saraya Contracting, with 12% progress. Work is currently underway to construct the foundations for the ground floor and the electricity sub-station. The Assistant Undersecretary for Community Development at the Ministry of Social Development Khalid Ishaq explained that the Social Centre at Busaiteen is considered to be miniature facility representing the Ministry of Social Development. The Centre provides social services in the field of protection, investment and development in coordination with the concerned departments at the Ministry. The services include social security, family counselling, embracing the divorced and their children, social development workshops to spread awareness amongst the community, in addition to various training courses and programmes in fields such as hairdressing, tailoring and embroidery, handcrafts and cooking.
‘The Government allocated a piece of land of a total area of 1131,00 m2 for the centre, which comprises of 3 storeys. The total construction area is 2270,00m2 ,’ explained Ishaq. The ground floor consists of 2 reception halls, waiting area, a hall accommodating 250 persons, hospitality room, guardroom, electricity, water pumps and parking lot. The first floor comprises of administrative offices, waiting areas, parents’ social club, training halls and healthcare hall, while the second floor includes training rooms for hairdressing, makeup, hospitality, library, resource centre, computer labs and public services. According to Al Motawa, the centre design provides high quality facilities and an easy access to all facilities in the building, especially to assist people with special needs. The building design has also fulfilled green buildings requirements and specifications by providing thermal insulation on all walls, ceilings and windows, in addition to LED lighting systems to save energy, environment-friendly materials, and water taps with sensors.
