• Home
• /
• World
• /
• Gulf

Dh5b development projects for Western Region

ABU DHABI - The Western Region of Abu Dhabi is undergoing a major development process including infrastructure, housing, road and land reclamation projects worth around Dh5 billion, according to statistics released by the authorities yesterday.

In a report reviewed by the National Consultative Council (NCC) at its closing session yesterday, the council's Western Region Affairs Committee said the projects, undertaken by the Public Works Department (PWD) and the Abu Dhabi Municipality and Town Planning Department, had been planned to cope with the region's rapid population growth and to cater to the needs of the region in the public services, investment and tourism sectors.

The PWD is executing major projects at an estimated cost of more than Dh805 million including setting up of low-cost houses in Liwa and Dalma, government offices, mosques, schools, kindergartens, and hospitals and clinics in various towns and cities of the region.

The department also supervises road, transport and services projects including construction of the new Tarif-Liwa- Madinat Zayed Highway, internal roads, pavement works for low-cost houses, intersections on the Tarif-Madinat Zayed Road, in addition to land reclamation projects. The total cost of these projects is Dh1.027 billion.

The municipality is working on several road projects in the region including the Ghayathi-Liwa Road, digging of water wells in various parts of the region, electricity and irrigation, setting up of public gardens, a camel race track, in addition to building of new markets and low-cost houses.

The total cost of the projects is estimated at more than Dh1.8 billion. The Engineering Section's projects are estimated to cost around Dh700 million, Agriculture Section's projects are estimated at Dh400 million, while projects carried out by the Forestry Section are estimated to cost more than Dh80 million.

The Western Region Affairs Committee has called for speedy execution of infrastructure and public service projects in the various towns and cities in the region in order to meet the needs of the residents including health, education, shopping and commercial centres. More low-cost houses should be built and distributed to entitled citizens, taking into consideration the increase in the number of family members and the need to ensuring stable and decent life for citizens, the committee suggested.

It also proposed that commercial land plots be distributed to citizens in the region, in order to encourage trade and investment activities and improve the economic status of the citizens. The housing problem of expatriate workers and their families should also be solved, the report said. As the region does not have any higher education institution and is far away from such institutions, the committee proposed the setting up of a university, an institute or a higher college of technology to accommodate national students in the region.

5-month recess

Following yesterday's session, presided over by Speaker Abdullah Mohammed Al Masoud, the house went into a recess for five months. The council expressed gratitude to the President, His Highness Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, for their support and guidance.

The council reiterated its loyalty to Shaikh Zayed, Shaikh Khalifa and Members of the Supreme Counci and Rulers of the Emirates for guiding the nation and for their support which made the achievements attained towards the prosperity possible. In his closing remarks, the Speaker thanked members of the council, federal and local governments and the various departments and ministries for their cooperation and hard work.

"The proceedings of the sessions added a new dimension to the members' endeavour and ideas for the improvement and benefit of the country and its people. Your recommendations and proposals have been translated into reality. It is your leadership that helped achieve such a tremendous progress in the country," Mr Masoud stated.

He said the council had succeeded in influencing the government's social development policies, adding that it had proved to be an important and effective body which supports the government and its departments to help achieve their goals.

General Secretary of the council, Rakan Maktoum Al Qubaisi said with the council's remarkable contribution, the country had succeeded in achieving many development goals.

On behalf of the members, Hadhir Mubarak Al Muhairi thanked the country's leadership for its continuous support to the council.

Before ending the session, the council expressed satisfaction over the performance of the house and its contribution to the welfare and prosperity of the country.

• World
• UAE