Flexibility key to Dubai mega projects, forum hears

Project Management Forum discusses challenges and complexities involved in infrastructure projects.

Infrastructure projects in Dubai will require more flexible legislations, partnership with the private sector, and integration with all transit systems and roads network, according to Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).
Speaking at the Dubai International Project Management Forum (DIPMF) on Tuesday Al Tayer said that due to the above mentioned shortcomings, the RTA launched the integrated mobility platform project, endorsed the smart mobility plan 2017-2021, and established transportation integration section.
He was speaking at a session titled 'Complex and Mega Projects', which also hosted Mohammed Al Hammadi, CEO of the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation, and Sir Hugh Robertson, CEO of Falcon Group as part of the panel.
The session was moderated by Dr Alaa Zaitoon, Executive Director, Projects Corporate Office, Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation.
Hammadi announced that the Nuclear Energy Corporation has completed 85 per cent of the construction of the UAE's first power station plant.
He stated that there are currently 400 Emiratis specialised in power engineering out of 1,600 employees in the Corporation overseeing about 18,000 engineers and workers from about 38 countries.
"Mega projects are those which require sophisticated technologies, have a variety of systems or involve multiple parties," said Al Tayer.
Al Tayer added that the RTA has carried out projects worth of more than Dh80billion, spending Dh10billion annually.
He said: "Complex projects need highly motivated leaders capable of empowering the work team, nurturing a positive work environment, and keeping track of events and developments."
Al Tayer said that the talent in managing such a system lies in the hands of its leaders.
"Leaders have the ability to innovate and at the same time maintain the existing situation, as well as a portfolio of programs and projects rather than a single project in order to up the control of processes and achieve targeted results," he said.
Speaking about the work at the corporation, Al Hammadi said: "The Emirates Nuclear Power project is a peaceful nuclear programme that meets environmental sustainability of resources."
"Any project manager has to be well aware of basic elements such as: Why is this project constructed? What's the objective of the project? How will be the partnership with partners and customers? Accordingly the project road map has to be worked out.
"The project manager has to spend 90 per cent of his or her time in enhancing communication with relevant partners," he said.
Sir Hugh Robertson, CEO of Falcon Group, also spoke about the huge complications associated with the staging of London Olympic and Paralympic Games 2012.
"The biggest challenge was to build integrated facilities for the sports showpiece, managing an event that runs 26 sports disciplines in 17 days, organising the movement of the public from and to competition areas, and protecting the venues from the risks of terrorist attacks," said Robertson.
"The challenge that followed the completion of the event, was to invest the project to generate financial returns," he added.
dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai