'Kuwait's 'Oil Town' also family friendly'

As part of our occasional series exploring various areas of Kuwait, Kuwait Times visited Al-Ahmadi to discover the main features of Kuwait's famous 'oil town'.

Ahmadi Governorate is one of the six governorates of Kuwait. It is located in the southern part of the country and plays a critical role in the Kuwait economy as several of Kuwait's oil refineries are located there.

Founded in 1946, Al-Ahmadi covers an area of 5,120 km2. The first oil shipment to ever leave Kuwait's shores was exported from Mina Alahmadi in 1946 and the first church ever built in Kuwait, 'Our Lady of Arabia' was built in Ahmadi Town in 1948.

Ahmadi has a population of around 394,000 including locals and expatriates. Many of the residents work either directly or indirectly for Kuwait's oil industry. Ahmadi Town is divided into North, South, East and West sections. North Ahmadi is largely residential and boasts the recreational club Hubara as well as the Kuwait Golf Club.

Ahmadi also hosts the annual lights exhibition, organized by the Kuwait Oil Company to celebrate Kuwait's National and Liberation Day holidays.

"Every year, Ahmadi is decorated with beautiful colored lights to celebrate Kuwait's National and Liberation Days. Al-Ahmadi is considered an iconic area in Kuwait," explains local resident BuKhaled.

Bu Khaled added that if a resident of Ahmadi has a problem with water, electricity or gas, they can count on quick response from local government and the KOC to fix the issue.

"I'm talking about the residents' of the KOC area. The company provides all we need. For example, today we have a workshop about how to organize the entry and exit of heavy trucks and vehicles in the main roads of Ahmadi, since Ahmadi is both residential and industrial."

The full package

For 25 year old Fahad Al-Ajami, the area of Ahmadi is the full package. "Ahmadi is known for its beautiful parks and it is the greenest place in Kuwait. It is perfect for families where it also always clean. Hopefully it will be improved in bumps in the inner streets," Ajami pointed out.

Indeed the Ahmadi garden and zoo is one of the largest urban parks in the country, boasting several playground and picnic areas as well as a small zoo. The area also tends to be among the most well-kept and clean of public gardens in Kuwait.

Lebanese Engineer Elias Al-Khouri, 61 years old, expressed his happiness to live in Ahmadi "It is known in Kuwait for its greenery, British architecture, oil refineries and peaceful green surroundings."

He added "It is the most organizing area in Kuwait. Ahmadi has the European style where the people who are in charge of this area are aware of what they are doing because they are doing great." Adding that there is follow-up maintenance in the area, and residents can always find development projects and permanent reconstruction planned.

Featured on the popular social media platform Snapchat in 2015, Ahmadi is known for its active social life, community activities and events. "The Ahmadi area contains all the services needed for residents, in terms of hospitals and cooperative societies. There is also a dynamic development in infrastructure, and projects to build new homes for Kuwaitis," Khouri said.

By Faten Omar