A contract valued at over RO 904,000 has been signed for the construction of 21 homes in Habroot, a remote community in Dhofar Governorate near Oman’s border with Yemen. The agreement, finalized on Wednesday, establishes a 730-day timeline for completion, with the homes expected to be handed over by late 2028. This project follows a housing commitment announced earlier this month and represents part of a broader effort to improve living conditions in underserved areas.
The housing initiative is funded by Rikan, the Energy Sector Social Responsibility Development Foundation, in collaboration with the Oman Charity Organisation (OCO) and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning. Eng Khalfan bin Masoud al Naabi, Director-General of Housing and Urban Planning in Dhofar, signed on behalf of the ministry, while Eng Mohammed bin Ali al Shanfari, Rikan’s Manager of Project Execution, represented the foundation.
Each home will cover approximately 199 square meters and will include three bedrooms, a majlis (reception room), living room, kitchen, service facilities, and a separate perimeter wall. Construction has been awarded to Omran Construction and Works, with Hima Engineering Consultancy appointed to oversee the project. The average contract value per unit is roughly RO 43,054 based on the total contract sum, though individual home costs were not disclosed separately.
This contract pertains specifically to the Habroot homes announced earlier and is part of a wider housing programme supported by Rikan, which committed more than RO 2 million on October 7 to fund the 21 units in Habroot along with 50 additional housing assistance cases across various governorates.
Authorities highlighted the significance of this project in addressing housing shortages in remote villages. Said bin Amer al Harrasi, Head of the Housing Programmes Monitoring and Community Partnership Section at the ministry, noted that the initiative was based on a study evaluating living conditions and eligibility for support in villages nationwide. Ahmed bin Said al Maashani, Director of Housing at the ministry’s Dhofar directorate, said field visits had specifically identified needs in Habroot and emphasized that the homes aim to provide adequate accommodation and promote residential stability in the border community.
Rikan’s role is part of the energy sector’s ongoing commitment to social responsibility, aiming to elevate living standards for families in need. The cooperative framework assigns funding responsibilities to Rikan, while the ministry handles site selection, design, and technical oversight. OCO is tasked with assessing applicants’ eligibility. Progress and financial management will be monitored quarterly by a Rikan-led steering committee.
In addition to housing, Habroot has seen other infrastructure developments. A newly completed 10-kilometre road link connecting Andat and Habroot opened in September as part of the Harweeb–Mitn road project, and on October 27, a foundation stone was laid for a new school funded by Petroleum Development Oman.
Details remain undisclosed regarding the number of households still awaiting housing assistance in Habroot and whether the current contract includes external utility connections such as electricity, water, and roads.