Dubai
Community reports was launched nearly half a decade ago with the objective of increasing social awareness, transparency and creating a sense of cohesive consciousness.
When we started, we thought we might average a report a week, perhaps get lucky and get in two. However, our readers surprised us. We publish a community report every day, along with several in-depth reports. And it has resulted in creating a direct link between hyper local issues and the relevant government departments.
While picking this month’s community report winners, we decided to move away from the norm and award one of the government departments that has been most pro-active in responding to and solving community issues - the Municipality of Abu Dhabi. They offer an excellent example of consumer service and deserve commendation for their consistent effort. They have been picked for first place.
The second place goes to the January 21 report, ‘Risks faced by garbage collection workers’ by Gulf News reader Avinash B. It is an interesting piece of community journalism because it raises an extremely valid question about an issue that most have witnessed but might not have registered as a concern. How many of us stop to think about the people in a city’s service? We just take it for granted that the streets will be clean, the garbage collected and amenities maintained. Additionally, the report got a clear and detailed reply from Dubai Municipality.
Third place goes to the report ‘Dangerous T-junction could kill’ by Rema Manohar, published on January 7. The photograph and accompanying article clearly indicate that it is a serious problem for residents in the area and needs to be addressed at the earliest possible. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) should look into it.
Overall, January has been a good month for community reports with numerous issues raised, all of which are highly relevant.
WINNER PROFILES:
First place:
The marketing and corporate communication office in the Municipality Abu Dhabi City told Gulf News: “The Abu Dhabi City Municipality (ADM) has the pleasure to thank Gulf News for selecting ADM in the first position in the Community Report Competition in January. Such achievement would not have been made without the concerted efforts of all employees concerned with responding to feedbacks, complaints and suggestions of community members that we always strive to undertake as priority, even if it needs coordination with strategic partners or other parties. From the moment they receive the suggestion or complaint, the staff in the marketing and corporate communication office start coordinating with the concerned division or section in order to take all necessary measures that ensure signing them off positively. This process is implemented through a digital tool, the Customer Relationship Management system (CRM), to ensure a high speed of response and finalising the requests received from the community. We highly appreciate the standards set by Gulf News in assessing the first position, which we assume is not only based on the speed of communication, but goes beyond to include sorting out any problem in a conclusive manner, besides taking all necessary actions and applications on the ground in order to realise the wishes of community members. Among the key strategies of the ADM is ensuring and enhancing the quality of life for the emirate of Abu Dhabi. Community members and Gulf News readers can directly communicate with the Abu Dhabi City Municipality through email at MCCO@adm.abudhabi.ae or call us at 80022220.”
Second place:
Avinash B. raised the issue of workers hanging on the sides of a garbage collection truck in Dubai. He said: “This is a common sight on Dubai roads. It’s extremely dangerous. Why are they allowed to work like this? The authorities need to find a solution. I thank Gulf News for supporting the safety issue for municipality workers. It is organisations like you who should be given full credit for supporting such issues to make this place a better place to live in. I believe that any issue related to safety should be a priority in our lives, mainly because life is so precious. I hope the authorities can follow up on this matter diligently till safety is ensured.”
Third place:
Dubai-based Rema Manohar wrote about the junction in Al Karama area, which according to her is a serious issue that needs attention. She said: “I hear people honking throughout the day. There are cars going in every direction and the lane discipline is completely ignored. During the mornings the junction is always blocked and school buses have to struggle to drive through the area. Weekends are worse. I have witnessed so many accidents on this specific junction. Many a times I will hear a loud crash and when I walk into the balcony of my apartment I see the crash. I hope the authorities will take note and solve the issue.”
