MORE than BD66 million ($171.7 million) was spent in Bahrain on 71 infrastructure projects last year, according to the Ministry of Works.

The ministry also indicated that 77 projects worth around BD116 million ($307 million) were put out to tender during the period.

Outlining the spending plans, Works Ministry public relations and information head Haffedh Abdulghaffar said the ministry was pushing ahead with multiple urbanisation and development projects.

“We have spent BD11.2 million ($29.70 million) on 19 tenders in the roads sector, while 20 tenders worth BD31.8 million ($84.34 million) were offered to contractors in the same sector last year,” said Abdulghaffar.

“In the sanitation sector, we spent BD19.9 million ($52.78 million) on 23 tenders and 31 tenders were offered at a value of BD32.5 million ($85 million). The ministry also spent BD34.78 million ($92.24 million) on constructing buildings, while 26 projects worth BD51.8 million ($137 million) were tendered.”

Eight tenders were also issued for infrastructure and building worth BD39.65 million ($106 million), which would be funded from a $10-billion ($26.52 billion) aid package pledged by GCC countries.

“Seven tenders, worth BD35 million ($92.83 million), financed by the Saudi Fund for Development, have been issued to contractors and they will cover the new Muharraq Interchange and a new highway in Hamad Town between roundabouts 13 and 18,” he said.

These tenders also involve the construction of five schools in Hamad Town, Busaiteen, Isa Town, Malkiya and Hunainiya Valley.

Other tenders floated include the BD4.6 million ($12.2 million) Shaikh Jaber Al Sobah Highway (the Alba and Nuwaidrat junction) project, which will be financed by the Kuwaiti Fund for Development.