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HEL H HE EL E L LEN EN N COU OU O UCHM CH C HM MA AN N TA TAL T A AL LK KS S AB A ABO BOUT BO UT HE H HER ER ER BO BOO OO O OK OF POR OR O RT TR TRA RA R ITS IT TS TS TH THA T H HA AT CE CEL C E ELEBR EBRATE E RA AT ATE TE S TE THE T TH HE HE DIIV D DIV IV ERS ER E RS R SITY SITY IT IT TY Y O O OF OMA MA N NII WOM OMEN OM E AND AN A ND N D TH THE HEIIR HE R FAS F FA A SH ASHIO AS HIO IIO ON
FROM THE WORDS OF HIS MAJESTY THE SULTAN
On the occasion of the International Conference on Environment and Development Brazil
‘His Majesty’s Wisdom’ The conservation of the environment is the responsibility of all of us, a responsibility that knows no political boundaries. Therefore, man, wherever he lives, must contribute to this conservation and must order his life accordingly. This must be done in a planned, rational way and taking into consideration the numerous causes of pollution, whether natural, biological, industrial, chemical or physical.
>C7
THURSDAY, October 22, 2015 / 8 Muharram 1437 AH
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Airport taxi drivers refuse to use meters A4
Bands set for big battle
The drivers seek bar on orange taxis and private vehicles used by expats as taxis
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OMAN
Six arrested on kidnapping and rape charges
FAHAD AL GHADANI
fahadnews@timesofoman.com
1
Four Omani citizens and two Asian expats have been arrested by Al Khoud police in cooperation with the Department of Criminal Investigations, Royal Oman Police, for abusing, kidnapping and raping a woman. >A5
OMAN
MARKET
Fahd receives Roivas Omantel-du tie-up
2
On behalf of His Majesty, HH Sayyid Fahd received Estonian Prime Minister Taavi Roivas. >A6
3
Omantel has signed a partnership pact with du to provide Internet Protocol television service. >B1
MUSCAT: Airport taxi drivers are refusing to use new meters installed in the majority of their blue-and-white cars because they say they should have a monopoly on business at the airport. A representative of taxi drivers, Abdullah Al Shibli, who is also an airport taxi driver, said, “It is true that meters have been installed in almost all the taxis here, but we have refused to activate it because we want the taxi business at the
OMR6
is the starting fare of the pre-paid taxis at the airport
airport to be exclusive to us.” He explained that at present any vehicle can be used as a taxi at the airport. “That’s why orange taxis, along with expats using their private vehicles as taxis, should be stopped from doing business inside the airport,” he stated.
Al Shibli added that airport taxi drivers had refused to use the meter, unless the authorities concerned listened to their demands. “We have approached everybody, including the company, the Royal Oman Police and the Municipal Council. We are waiting to hear a reasonable solution, even
though the authorities concerned had told us that they don’t have any authority or instruction to stop orange taxis from entering the airport. We are hopeful that some solution can be worked out,” Al Shibli explained. When contacted, Abdullah Al Busaidi, head of Media and Public Relations, Oman Airport Management Company (OAMC), said it was the Municipal Council which came up with the suggestion that meters should be installed in airport taxis. Therefore, we are waiting for the Municipal Council and the airport drivers to come up with a solution.” He said a company is currently in the process of installing meters in airport taxis, and the tariff is yet to be fixed. He added that prepaid taxis were available from the airport, with the minimum fare starting from OMR6. Meanwhile, Salim Al Ghammari, a municipal council member, said the meter system should have been started a long time back. >A6
GREEN BRIGADE
Workers in green help keep the Sultanate clean MOBIN MATHEW BLESSON
mobinmathew@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: We often see workers dressed in green uniforms while moving on Oman’s roads but most of us fail to recognise their efforts in making Oman one of the cleanest and most beautiful countries in the world. Commendable job “They do a commendable job, regardless of whether it’s a rainy or sunny day. We can see them working hard to keep Oman’s roads beautiful,” Mohammed Khalid, an Omani businessman in Ruwi, said. “Especially after the rains, their
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#OMANPRIDE work is doubled. However, in a short span of time, they make the roads and surroundings beautiful,” Khalid added. There are at least 1,000 such workers employed in different sections, such as garbage collection and beautification, and they work
in different camps organised by the Muscat Municipality. “Our work may be the lowest in the job strata. It’s quite tedious. But, the support we get from Omanis and expatriates makes us happy. Even a smile from people while we do our job is a great inspiration,” Raju Abraham, a cleaning worker said, while continuing with his work in Ruwi. The workers’ morning shift begins at 6am and ends at 11am and the afternoon shift begins at 3pm and ends at 5.30pm. Commenting on the efforts of these workers, residents of Hamriyah said they are grateful to them for their devotion. >A6
PRAISEWORTHY: Residents of Hamriyah said they are grateful to
the workers for their devotion. - Times of Oman