Cameraman who saw desert turn into a bustling metropolis

DUBAI — He had arrived in Dubai to work as an assistant electric engineer with Kuwait TV, which subsequently became Dubai TV when the federation was formed.

Afkar Ali Ahmed

Published: Sat 10 Feb 2007, 9:30 AM

Last updated: Sun 5 Apr 2015, 2:27 AM

Since then, Abdu Gadir Mohammed Jaber, a Sudanese by birth, has contributed a great deal to the progress of media as an officer in the Dubai Department of Information.

He says he has witnessed rapid development of the country in the field of construction which turned it into an industrial, commercial and tourist attraction.

“I had landed at the Dubai airport, which was very small facility at that time. I had a British visa but was so attracted by Dubai that I decided to make it as my second home,” he added.

Abu Gadir said as a TV cameraman he covered the launch of oil torch by late Shaikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the then ruler of Dubai, at the beginning of oil exploration.

He said besides his engineering work, he used to cover all activities of Shaikh Rashid, including visits and opening ceremonies, as there were not enough cameramen or photographers in the UAE in those days.

Before formation of the United Arab Emirates, the northern states used to be called reconciled emirates and houses and buildings were scattered in the great desert. This desert was gradually transformed into a bustling city of skyscrapers and shopping malls.

“When I was working with the TV station in Umm Al Quwain, my family back home used to face difficulties in contacting me as there were no means of communication. I was transferred as an under-secretary of the Dubai Department of Information, which was then called ‘Media Control Office’. Later I become employee of the UAE Ministry of Information after the formation of the UAE,” he said, adding that there was only one radio broadcasting entity which was later bought by the Dubai government and renamed as Dubai Radio.

“I am lucky to have witnessed all the growth — expansion of Dubai Air port by Shaikh Rashid, development of seaport into Rashid Port and great construction projects which used to be financed by the Oman Financial Bank,” recollects Abu Gadir.

The Trade Centre in Dubai was a great construction at that time and now it stands as a great landmark in Dubai, he added.