KUWAIT, Jan 22(Kuwait Times): As Kuwait prepares for its national celebrations, it is proud of its urban, economic, and social development, an official at the Ministry of Public Works said yesterday. Since his assumption of power, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah gave his orders on the execution of major projects such as road projects, the ministry's Assistant Undersecretary for Roads' Affairs Hasan Al-Mansour said.

Projects of nine highways are under construction, while nine others are awaiting endorsement by the Central Tenders Committee, along with Jamal Abdulnasir Road, scheduled to be ratified in the upcoming weeks with a cost estimated at KD 242 million, he said. Sheikh Jaber Bridge project is being studied, he said, adding that around 14 roads in residential areas, with a cost estimated at KD 150 million and highways at KD 600 million, also await endorsement.

It is expected that the execution will take five years, he said, adding that the ministry did not reach a final decision on the Fourth Ring Road project as a new advisor is to be assigned to come up with a new design. He congratulated His Highness the Amir, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah, and Minister of Public Works on Kuwait's national days.