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Excellence Awards help motivate employees

DUBAI — Keep your goals clear. And do not wait to start working on them. Stick to them. That's the advice Matar Suhail Al Mehairi has for aspiring youths.

As one of the winners of the Dubai Government Excellence Programme Awards 2008, Matar has definitely emerged as a role model. He was honoured for his creative initiative: mobile low voltage distribution board (LVDB).

And, this is the second time Matar was honoured for a creative project. Last year, he earned the Excellence Award in the 'Excellent Technical Project' category, his project being 'Reliable Centred Maintenance'. It has indeed been a journey one call feel proud of.

Matar has been a veteran of many a creative suggestion and project during his service period so far, which started with Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) some nine years ago. He is now assuming the position of Manager of Distribution Substations, Maintenance Section.

Talking to Khaleej Times about LVDB, he says: "The idea was unique. I first came up with the idea some three years ago. The LVDB is a first-of-its-kind mobile generator, which can instantly substitute for another generator whenever there is a technical failure in the substations which distribute power to residential areas and businesses."

With the LVDB, power can be distributed to DEWA customers within a time ranging between half-an-hour and and one hour. "The LVDB has proved to be of great use for patients in critical conditions as their lives depend on power connection. We tried and succeeded," he says. There is always a mobile LVDB on stand-by for any emergency situation.

"When the distribution board is out of work, we replace the whole substation and for that purpose we disconnect the power. The distribution board often breaks down more than the generator," he explains.

The innovative engineer considers the Excellence Award as "a speed radar which makes the employees strive for excellence."

He adds: "The honour is a stimulant provided to the staff by the government."

So, was he expecting the award? For the second time in a row?

"I did my best and yes, I was sort of expecting to be honoured. I am very lucky to have had a chance to shake hands with His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, for the second time. I was overwhelmed with joy."

The graduate of Applied Science in Engineering Management from the College of Technology, Dubai Men's College, is a father of two little daughters.

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