Ministers inspect fuel farm complex

Manama, Apr. 3 (BNA): Oil Minister Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, and Transportation and Telecommunications Minister Kamal bin Ahmed Mohammed toured the construction site of a fuel farm complex on an inspection visit.  The complex is currently being built by BAC Jet Fuel Company (BJFCO) in the vicinity of Bahrain International Airport (BIA). The ministers were briefed on the progress of the project in the presence of BJFCO board members, Bahrain Airport Company (BAC) officials. The ministers were given a visual presentation by Amana Pipeline Construction the main contractor of the project Managing Director, Nabil Helou, showcasing the various stages of the project, which BAC commenced in mid-2017, in addition to current and future stages. The ministers stressed the importance of finishing the project within the agreed-upon deadline while maintaining the highest levels of quality to achieve the project’s objectives. The ministers and their accompanying delegation inspected the fuel farm complex located in the north east area of BIA, where they listened to BJFCO Chairman Abdulmajeed Al Qassab explain the details of the project. Housing three aviation fuel tanks with a capacity of 10,000 cubic metres each, the project’s total area is 77,000 sqm, in addition to its dedicated operational buildings. BJFCO is in charge of developing the project. Established in 2016 as a joint venture between BAC and National Oil and Gas Authority (NOGA), BJFCO was established with the goal of restructuring the aviation fuel sector in the Kingdom, and constructing and managing a fuel farm complex within the vicinity of BIA, as per directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and in line with Bahrain Economic Vision 2030. Oil Minister said: "We are very pleased with the progress so far and with all the efforts by BJFCO and the main contractor. Building a fuel farm complex within BIA’s vicinity follows the directives of HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister, to relocate the fuel tanks from Arad area in Muharraq’s governorate. This project is of the highest importance because of its role in developing the oil and gas sector in the Kingdom in general, and in raising the efficiency of the airport. All parties involved have been working hard to achieve the vision shared between the Ministry of Oil and the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications, and we look forward to more achievements in the coming period." The Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications and Gulf Air Holding Group (GFG) Chairman said: "The fuel complex forms an essential part of the strategy behind the Airport Modernisation Programme, which has the support of HRH the Prime Minister, and the support of HRH the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister. It also forms a part of GFG’s strategic projects, which aim to stimulate sustainable economic growth and generate new revenue streams in line with Bahrain Economic Vision 2030. It’s crucial that we develop this project at the airport to reinforce the Kingdom’s position as a centre of aviation fuel services in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, and our partners have been sparing no effort to ensure its success."