National Economy Minister Ahmed bin Abdulnabi Macki also said reconstruction of Muscat's infrastructure, severely mauled by cyclone 'Gonu', would be completed within a "few" months. He added restoration of roads and utilities would be given priority over ongoing Seventh Five Year Plan (2006-10) projects.

Macki was on Monday appointed by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said as head of a high-power committee to supervise the rebuilding effort.

Speaking to reporters after the first meeting of the new body here on Tuesday, the Minister said the cyclone "will not at all affect the Omani economy's growth and performance of the current Five Year Plan." Through cooperation between the citizens and the government, he stressed, "the economy is capable of absorbing all damages."

Macki said the committee decided to reconstruct affected roads and utilities "as quickly as possible." All the concerned ministries would work together to "bring life back to normal," he added.

He said restoration works would be allocated to local contractors and priority given to infrastructure repairs, instead of Seventh Plan projects. Contractors would be told to move equipment and labour from ongoing projects to the rebuilding programme.

"The infrastructure and all other services are expected to be restored to normal within the next few months," Macki said. He added new standards and specifications would be incorporated while carrying out the repair works in line with Sultan Qaboos' orders, especially drainage to avoid flooding of roads.

Macki said the ministry was currently assessing the cost of the damages and would announce it later. Insurance companies and analysts estimate it to cross a staggering $1 billion.

The committee also discussed the extent of destruction suffered by the wilayats and their needs, as well as the building of dams as a protective measure against flooding in the future.

Regional Municipalities, Environment and Water Resources Minister Shaikh Abdullah bin Salim Al Rowas said the ministry was tackling the problem of water shortage by using all wells across the country.

He added it had given permission to drill more wells to "overcome the unexpected problem."