Muscat Municipal Council Holds Meeting
Muscat, 11 Jan 2026 (ONA) --- The Municipal Council of Muscat Governorate held its first meeting of the year today. The meeting was chaired by Sayyid Saud Hilal Al Busaidi, Governor of Muscat.
The Council commenced its agenda by addressing one of the most prominent contemporary social issues, concerning the impact of social media, digital media, and electronic games on the mental and behavioral health of society. The discussion focused on the challenges posed by these rapid transformations, which directly affect children, adolescents, and the family in light of the growing excessive use of digital technologies.
The session included a specialized presentation by a consultant in child and adolescent psychiatry, who provided a professional analysis of the primary psychological and behavioral effects resulting from the excessive use of electronic games and social media. This analysis covered indicators of addiction, concentration disorders, declining academic performance, and the influence of violent content on the behavior of younger generations. Consequently, the Council emphasized the importance of developing an integrated response system that includes preventive, educational, and therapeutic programs to enhance the protection of youth, support families, and meet societal requirements amid accelerating digital development. The Council stressed the necessity of transitioning from theoretical discussions to sustainable institutional solutions.
Furthermore, the Municipal Council reviewed its work program for 2026, which includes participatory tracks aimed at strengthening the Council’s presence in monitoring local affairs through a package of specialized programs and initiatives. This program aligns with the Council's designated roles in supporting developmental efforts, monitoring priority projects, and improving communication mechanisms with the community and various relevant authorities to enhance institutional performance and the quality of services provided.
The Council also approved the minutes of its final meeting of 2025, which included recommendations regarding the Muscat Municipality’s statement on changing the commercial activity inspection methodology from pre-inspection to post-inspection. This shift is part of efforts to upgrade the inspection system and transition to more efficient and responsive mechanisms. The Council commended the efforts made to develop the inspection system and underlined the importance of aligning these directions with the existing legislative and regulatory framework. It also highlighted the necessity for continued coordination between Muscat Municipality and competent authorities to enhance the business environment and improve the efficiency of procedures related to practicing commercial activities.
Finally, the Council reviewed several communications received from relevant authorities concerning various organizational and service-related aspects. In this context, the Council affirmed the importance of following up on procedures that ensure an effective response reflecting current requirements and harmonizing with local development priorities.
---Ends/AG
