Ministry of Works (Bahrain)
The Ministry of Works (MOW) is responsible for all infrastructure services in the Kingdom of Bahrain, including the public road network, drainage systems, and public buildings. Its work—which encompasses strategic planning, design, development, construction, project management and maintenance—is carried out in accordance with the National Strategic Master Plan for Bahrain, outlook 2030. This national plan provides the legal framework for structural planning, strategic development and investment in the Kingdom, as well as a strong framework for development control
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| Ministry overview | |
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| Formed | 1975 (45 years ago) |
| Preceding Ministry |
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| Type | Government Ministry |
| Jurisdiction | Cabinet of Bahrain |
| Headquarters | Hoora, Manama 26°14′15.9″N 50°35′17.5″E |
| Employees | 1,572 (2009) |
| Minister responsible |
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| Deputy Minister responsible |
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| Website | works.gov.bh |
| Footnotes | |
| Construction - Project Management - Infrastructure Asset Management | |
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| This article is part of a series on the politics and government of Bahrain |
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| Judiciary |
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| Administrative divisions (governorates) |
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Related topics |
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The Ministry is moving towards a model where it will manage the core business areas of sectoral planning, policy development and regulation as a high level project management body and optimize service delivery through outsourcing to the private sector. The Ministry's Central Planning Organization (CPO) coordinates the planning and implementation of all public infrastructure projects across the public sector as well as major industries, such as oil and gas. The CPO has developed a novel and sophisticated Geographic Information System (GIS) to support this function.
History
The Ministry was established in 1975 by Amiri Decree No. 18 as the Ministry of Works, Electricity and Water. At that time it comprised four directorates: Works, Electricity, Water, and Research and Projects.
In 1992, the Ministry was restructured into two sectors by Amiri Decree No. 3, 1992: Public Works and Electricity and Water. In 1995 a new structure emerged according to Amiri Decree No. 12, 1995 and the name of the Ministry became the Ministry of Works and Agriculture. In April 2001, it became the Ministry of Works. The cabinet added the Housing sector to the functions of the Ministry after Parliament elections in November 2002.
The Housing sector (formerly Ministry of Housing established in 1975) was responsible for providing housing services to citizens of the Kingdom with well-planned programs to provide suitable houses to Bahraini families incapable of building their own houses.
The Ministry of Works and Housing underwent several changes in its role and functions within the government structure. It is operating within two constraints: statutory, pertaining to the degree of harmony of its mission with its evolving environment, including civil service legislation; and budgetary, pertaining to the scarcity of resources available compared with those needed, at a time when public agencies are invited to rationalise public expenditure and improve the management of allocated resources.
In December 2007 according to a recently issued Decree, the Ministry of Works and Housing was again divided into two separate Ministries, one for Housing and one for Public Works. In that same decree, the Ministry of Electricity and Water was to become an Authority under the purview of the Minister of Works.
The Ministry Today
An office of strategy management – the Ministry's Strategic Planning Section – is a regional first, and a Project Management Office and a Project Management System all work in synchronization to integrate the functions of strategy, performance and project management and to link core business and management initiatives with operational projects in a continuous effort to improve and enhance performance at technical, managerial and individual levels.
In 2010, the Knowledge Management (KM) Unit was established as part of the Corporate Strategy to encourage the Ministry employees to share knowledge between them in order to improve the performance of project management practices and to avoid repeated mistakes. A new KM System is being built for this purpose. It is now being piloted and shall be ready for full operation before end of 2014.
Primary projects
Infrastructure development consisting of the strategic planning, design, construction and maintenance of the public road network and the drainage systems for the country.
Design, construction, project management and maintenance of public buildings.
Looking to the future, the Ministry aims to provide physical infrastructure that improves the quality of life for all residents of Bahrain
The Ministry is also tasked with addressing environmental issues in relation to sewerage. One of its significant achievements has been the Treated Sewerage Effluent (TSE) Project. Developments are also underway for a national storm drainage plan and sewerage plants in all Governorates.
Current Minister
| Essam bin Abdulla Khalaf |  |
2010 | Present |
Photo gallery
The former Minister of Works during a visit to Isa Town gate project (2009)
The former Minister of Works during an official function (2009)
Sanitary treatment plant
Sanitary treatment plant
Salmania Intersection
Seef District Flyover