NIZWA, Dec 18 - A ‘rent session’ was conducted by residents of Temsa village through a bidding process for using water from the Al Segaier falaj for their farms. The bidders met in a ring for the auction, a process held every six months.
The process goes on until the stakeholders make the right bid, or quote the right price, to win the bid.
The winning bidders will get the right to use the falaj water for a pre-decided duration, usually about half an hour.
For the purpose of auction, each day is divided into two turns: daytime and night. Each turn is divided into 24 brooklets, each of which will be open for half an hour.
The average bidding price for three brooklets was RO 65 this time.
The average bidding price in the previous auction, held on July 1 this year, was RO 190.
The reason for the disparity is the demand. During winter, the demand is less because the need is less too.
The price rises during summer as there is increased demand for water.
It also depends on fertilisation and aridity.
The depth of Al Segaier falaj is more than 15 metres and it draws fresh water from its underground stock.
The length of its channel is 2.5 km.
The residents of the village appealed to the authorities not to allow infringement on falaj’s water reserves and need to enforce law to prevent drilling of wells in the area as specified by the government.
AMAL AL RIYAMI
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