The Public Works Authority (Ashghal), represented by the Supervisory Committee of the Beautification of Roads and Public Places, opened Fereej Kulaib Plaza to the public yesterday.
During the opening, students from Iqra English School participated in the planting of trees at the plaza as part of the ‘Qatar Beautification and Our Kids Planting Trees’ campaign that aims to plant a million trees in co-operation with the Ministry of Municipality and Environment.
Members of the Supervisory Committee, Badar Sultan al-Rumaihi, member of the Central Municipal Council — fourth constituency, dignitaries from the area and representatives of Iqra English School were present at the event.
Hessa al- Kaabi, member of the Supervisory Committee of the Beautification of Roads and Public Places, Ashghal, said the distinctive design of Fereej Kulaib Plaza highlights the heritage, facilitates pedestrian movement and links a number of commercial and residential establishments in the area.
Al-Kaabi noted that the main works of the project have been completed while some works are undergoing. The remaining works are being implemented in full swing to complete the project in two months.
Maryam Bader al-Kuwari, a member of the committee, said the plaza has green areas, seating spaces and shading trees that allow visitors to perform various activities.
The Fereej Kulaib Plaza project is being implemented using environment-friendly materials and the works include the construction of 760m of bicycle track, 1.4km-long pedestrian lanes and 6,500sq m of green areas, as well as the planting of 125 trees.
Al-Rumaihi said such plazas are very important as they provide areas for residents and visitors to have an outing. “It also creates a healthy culture that supports physical activities,” he added.
Khalifa al-Sayed, one of the dignitaries from the neighbourhood, expressed happiness at the opening of Fereej Kulaib Plaza and thanked Ashghal for its efforts to increase green areas and trees in Qatar and for encouraging children to participate in preservation of the environment.
Another community leader in the area, Ateeq al-Sulaiti, stressed the importance of this campaign to support the culture of environmental protection and to provide a safe and healthy environment for existing and future generations.
Abdul Salam al-Aji, one of the prominent persons from the area, said preserving the environment is everyone’s responsibility. “Therefore, our children must participate in such campaigns,” he said, hoping that Fereej Kulaib Plaza would encourage sports.
Saima Samir, director of Iqra English School, said she is proud of participating in the campaign for beautifying Qatar and planting trees. “I am glad to participate with our students in this campaign. It will contribute to boosting their awareness of the importance of their role in preserving the environment.”
The students, too, expressed delight at their participation in the campaign. One of them, Jassim Mohamed, said: “It is the first time that I am planting a tree and am happy to do it.” Another student, Mohamed Abdul Rahman al-Mahmoud, added: “I love green squares and like to plant trees.”
Students from Iqra English School with officials.
