Abu Dhabi okays Dh1.5b projects

Abu Dhabi okays Dh1.5b projects (WAM) / 8 May 2013 The Abu Dhabi Executive Council on Wednesday endorsed a number of infrastructure development projects across the Emirate with a total cost of more than Dh1.5 billion. The projects include work at Khalifa City (A), the Sheibat Alwatah Housing Project and the Zayed City-Ghayyath Highway. General Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, headed the council’s meeting held at the Crown Prince’s Court. The council members, who reviewed topics presented by various government departments, stressed the need for all projects to be fully integrated. Integration of projects could have a greater positive impact on all development works progressing in Abu Dhabi, the council noted. Upon the directives of the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the council discussed plans related to the tourist sector and customer services, and looked into the Abu Dhabi government’s ‘Mystery Shopper’ Programme, which aims to provide accurate and realistic information about the government’s services to its customers. Gen. Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed attending the Abu Dhabi Executive Council meeting on Wednesday. —Wam The council underlined the necessity to provide customer services of high quality to support increased levels of development being experienced by the Emirate in various sectors. The council approved allocation of Dh396 million to carry out infrastructure development projects at Khalifa City (A) so as to keep pace with the population growth in the city, maintain a high quality of life, and at the same time preserve natural resources and protect the environment in the area. The new plans cover street lighting, constructing pavements, improving the rainwater drainage network, building water pump plants and reducing the level of underground waters. The implementation of these projects is in line with several initiatives launched by the Abu Dhabi government in response to the leadership’s directives. The main objective is to further develop Abu Dhabi and strongly establish the Emirate as a place of attraction for world tourism and economic activities. This can only be realised through providing better infrastructure services based on international standards that can meet requirements for progress in all fields. The council approved a tender to carry infrastructure work worth Dh712 million at the Sheibat Alwatah Housing Project (A & B) in Al Ain city. The Al Ain Municipality was authorised to approve all contracts presented by the real estate developer before being concluded with the consulting engineering and contracting companies that will be partners to complete the project infrastructure work. The project plan of action, to be carried out over 28 months, includes constructing roads, installing electricity, sewerage and rain water networks, telecommunications and roadside greening. The project includes 1,580 villas dedicated for UAE nationals. Upon directives from Shaikh Khalifa, housing projects intended for UAE nationals are considered to be a top priority on the council’s agenda. Shaikh Khalifa, time and again, underlined the necessity to secure all means that guarantee the best living conditions for citizens and their families. Another decision taken by the council under which the Department of Transport was assigned to conclude a contract with a contracting company to carry out a two-track, 80km road project linking Zayed City with Ghayathi in the Western Region. The Dh267.5 million project includes supplying roundabouts and intersections along the road with lighting using solar energy. The project is expected to improve transport services in the Western Region and help reduce car accidents to further ensure safety. As part of the Abu Dhabi government’s drive to make the Emirate a world tourism hub, the council approved costs of contracts museums have signed to establish cultural institutions on Saadiyat Island. These include the Shaikh Zayed National Museum, the Louvre Museum Abu Dhabi and the Guggenheim Museum Abu Dhabi. These cultural projects are expected to be completed within the coming five years, placing Abu Dhabi on the world tourism map. Such places of interest will further develop Abu Dhabi as a desirable destination already widely known for its entertainment, conference and business tourism facilities. The Department of Transport in Abu Dhabi was authorised to refer a tender to a contracting company to improve public facilities at Abu Dhabi main bus depot at a total cost of Dh175.8 million. The project, to be located at Khalifa City (A), includes establishing a main bus depot that could accommodate around 480 buses. A fuel station, car washing facilities and a maintenance workshop accommodating 550 buses will also be set up. The new depot was designed to improve public transport services to meet future demands. It will be provided with environment-friendly facilities that will meet the world’s highest standards. Taylor Scott International