SHARJAH — Sharjah government will provide a residential building to UAE nationals belonging to the low income group under a new project entitled ''Social Guarantee''.
This was announced by His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, when he inaugurated yesterday the fourth session of the consultative council. The session was also attended by Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and the Director of the Executive Council.
Addressing the members of the Consultative Council, Dr Shaikh Sultan felicitated the Muslims on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan.
Dr Shaikh Sultan said: “Great responsibilities and obligations are laid on the council members who are given the responsibility to accomplish and satisfy the demands and the aspirations of the citizens. Accomplishing their demands requires co-operation between all the legislative and executive authorities in the emirate in order to offer more stable life to the citizens while empowering the UAE nationals to actively participate in planning their country's present and future.
The great accomplishments achieved in various fields benefited the UAE nationals and the country as a whole. The accomplishments are witnessed everywhere including human development, infrastructure development in addition to the main accomplishments leading UAE nationals and expatriates to live a comfortable life. We are living in the technology and education era and the young generation should be committed in meeting and facing the future.”
Dr Shaikh Sultan continued: “We are witnessing development and prosperity in various fields of life and we are still working on initiating various development and improvement plans to offer the best services to people in the field of road network, housing, electricity, water and gas.”
Highlighting the social field, Dr Shaikh Sultan said that a new program was recently launched to offer financial support to people with low income in addition to the recent inauguration of two new social centres in Khorfakhan and Kalba.''
“ Mobile unit offering treatment to elderly people was recently launched and soon a new centre will be opened offering support to deprived children in order to ensure they are productive members of the society.”
Ahmed bin Khalfan Al Swaidi, Member of the Consultative Council delivered a speech promising that the members of the council will endeavour in accomplishing our national mission in the best manner.
Following the inauguration of the first session the members of the Consultative Council took the oath in front of Dr Shaikh Sultan. The session was headed in accordance to age by Khalifa Bu Ghanem and Ali bin Mohammed bin Saeed was elected as the new director of the council.
Gas station for buses to be operational from February
HIGHLIGHTING other main projects, Dr Shaikh Sultan announced that the first natural gas station for buses will be officially operational in February 2006. He added that all residential areas in Sharjah are currently being connected to the natural gas supply network. About 80 per cent of the work on the first phase of operating cars through natural gas is completed, he informed the gathering, and added that once completed the project will contribute in cleaning and preserving the environment and improving public health standards.
Dr Shaikh Sultan said that a new electricity generator station will be constructed at Al Hamriya area with a capacity of 400 megawatt. The electricity generator costing Dh1 billion will be installed in two phases, he said. He noted that two gas turbines costing Dh245 million were installed in the fifth phase of Wasit Electricity station and soon work will start on the sixth phase with the installation of two additional gas turbines costing Dh150 million. “There are also new projects in the water sector, including the installation of two additional water desalination units at Al Leyah Station. The two additional units costing Dh300 million will produce 15 million gallons daily in addition to operating a desalination station in Kalba,” he added.
Regarding the infrastructure development, Dr Shaikh Sultan noted that Sharjah has completed very projects that will contribute in easing traffic jams through the construction of various bridges and new roads following the development of the emirate. The government of Sharjah has disbursed a total of Dh475 million as compensation to UAE nationals whose homes were demolished as a result of development of new roads and highways, he said. “This brings the total value of compensation to Dh725 million and Dh250 is being disbursed in the last quarter of this year.