MUSANDAM: H.E. Sayyid Ibrahim bin Said bin Ibrahim Al Busaidi, Governor of Musandam, H.E. Eng. Ibrahim bin Saeed Al Kharousi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism (MHT) for Heritage, and H.E. Eng. Mohsen bin Hamad Al Hadhrami, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Energy and Minerals, accompanied by Eng. Ahmed Al-Azkawi, CEO of OQEP, along with several officials, reviewed the social investment projects implemented by OQEP in the wilayats of Musandam Governorate.
Among these projects is the Dibba Archaeological Visitor Centre in the Wilayat of Dibba, implemented by the MHT and funded by OQEP in collaboration with the Governor’s Office. This comes as part of the company’s efforts to enhance community partnerships and embody social responsibility in the local communities where it invests.
H.E. Al Busaidi and the attendees received a detailed briefing on the Dibba Archaeological Visitor Centre, which features essential facilities and offers an opportunity to explore the history of Dibba. The site also includes an archaeological excavation area dating back to the Bronze Age. The Centre spans an area of 17,562 square metres.
H.E. Al Kharousi, Undersecretary of the MHT for Heritage stated, “The Ministry is working on the implementation of the Dibba Archaeological Visitor Centre project in the Wilayat of Dibba, Musandam Governorate. He described the initiative as a crucial step toward leveraging the unique historical and cultural value of this site. The Centre is expected to serve as a gateway for local and international visitors to learn about the archaeological significance of the site, which documents rich historical periods, with artifacts dating from the Late Stone Age to the Islamic eras.
He added that the Centre aims to provide a comprehensive educational experience, combining interactive historical displays with innovative methods for showcasing the discovered artifacts. Furthermore, the center is set to support the local community by promoting cultural tourism and creating new opportunities for jobs and projects linked to heritage preservation and management. “We are confident that the Dibba Archaeological Visitor Centre will become a cultural beacon that highlights the historical and civilisational depth of the area, while also enhancing Musandam Governorate’s position as a prominent heritage tourism destination in the Sultanate of Oman,” he said.
H.E. Al Kharousi also expressed his appreciation for the funding provided by OQEP and the Office of the Governor, emphasising their commitment to supporting heritage initiatives and contributing to the development of cultural and tourism landmarks in the governorate.
Eng. Ahmed Al-Azkawi, CEO of OQEP, said, “The DibbaArchaeological Visitor Centre is one of OQEP’s social investment projects in Musandam Governorate. It reflects our commitment to corporate social responsibility in the communities around our investments.”
He added that OQEP places significant importance on social investment in Musandam. Since 2020, the company has implemented and continues to execute projects worth over RO 4 million, focusing on urban, environmental and tourism-related developments.
The social investment projects in Musandam aim to support governmental and community entities in improving public services, empowering small and medium enterprises (SMES)and enhancing the cultural and recreational appeal of the governorate’s tourist destinations.
Key initiatives include the Dibba Waterfront, the development of Telegraph Island, the Bassa Beach Project (in collaboration with Omran Group), the Madha Park Development Project, the Bukha Waterfront Development Project, and the MusandamCulture and Innovation Centre, undertaken in partnership with several oil companies.
All these projects are designed to benefit local communities and visitors, aligning with government efforts to develop the wilayats while ensuring a sustainable impact.