Muscat: His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik presided over the Council of Oman's eighth term’s first annual session in the Governorate of Muscat on Tuesday.
His Majesty the Sultan highlighted the policy of decentralization in the affairs of governorates and said, "Our emphasis on the development of the governorates and the reinforcement of the decentralization principle has been realized through the enactment of the System of Governorates and the Law of Municipal Councils. This strategy aligns with our vision for locally administered governance based on decentralization principles. It also fits with our objectives to empower local communities to manage their affairs and actively participate in the nation-building process. "We assert that the role of municipal councils transcends local municipal affairs; these bodies are vested with extensive powers, duties, and a broad spectrum of tasks. We urge members of municipal councils to fully utilize the authority and resources at their disposal, innovating in ways that substantially enhance the well-being and welfare of our citizens.
He added, "Adhering to the principle of gradual progression in our policies and decisions, we remain committed to an ongoing evaluation of the outcomes anticipated from the policy of decentralization of the governorates. "We are determined to continuously reassess and expand this approach, aiming to broaden its scope to encompass various sectors and multiple aspects. This endeavor is focused on significantly enhancing and strengthening the active participation and engagement of local communities in the developmental process, ensuring the local administration initiative is diligently pursued to achieve its specified objectives, thereby contributing effectively to our comprehensive journey of economic and social development."
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