Abu Dhabi: A number of housing, public utilities, health care, education, social care and infrastructure projects will be implemented across Abu Dhabi to improve the quality of services provided to the public.
The projects were approved during the Abu Dhabi Executive Council's regular meeting chaired by General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, at the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince's Court.
The council approved an empowerment programme (Tamkeen) for Emirati citizens working in Strata — an aircraft-parts making plant in Al Ain — which aims to train and qualify UAE national cadres to work in the aerospace industry. The programme also aims to bring the Emiratisation rate up to 50 per cent by 2015.
Semiconductor sector
Another programme was also approved for training Emiratis in the semiconductor industry run by ITEC.
The council approved the budget of the Shams solar power project, which is under construction in the emirate and will have a capacity of 100 megawatts, making it among the largest parabolic trough power stations in the world.
Shams 1 is expected to be commissioned this year and to be followed by Shams 2 and Shams 3 stations.
Regarding housing and public utilities, the council approved construction, renovation and infrastructure development projects in a number of residential areas in Liwa, Ghyathi, Al Shuwaib, Al Haiyir, and other parts of the emirate.
The council gave the green light to the largest housing projects in the north of Al Wathba. Upon completion, it will provide 13,150 land plots for housing over 4,178 hectares. It is worth noting that the Abu Dhabi government's housing programme for 2012 will provide 7,608 villas for Emiratis.
For infrastructure, the council approved budgets for a number of vital projects, such as the Al Mafraq-Ghuweifat road and the new Abu Dhabi-Dubai road, and a study for the design of the Abu Dhabi metro and tram projects, and other traffic projects that aim to reduce traffic jams. The council also gave the go-ahead for infrastructure projects in a number of residential and tourism areas, and maintenance works for sewage networks in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Western Region.
Accommodation
Fourteen new health-care facilities will be constructed in different parts of the emirate in order to provide the best health-care services to the public. The council approved a plan to set up 24 new schools and nurseries, and renovate ten other schools, and for building an accommodation for teachers.
The council approved the establishment of six new rehabilitation centres for people with special needs in different parts of the emirate.
Shaikh Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Adviser and Deputy Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, was present.
Looking ahead
- Empowerment programmes for training Emiratis in the aerospace and semiconductor industry.
- Setting up 14 health care facilities.
- Constructing 24 new schools and renovating ten others.
- Setting up six new rehabilitation centres for people with special needs.
- Approving budgets of two new roads.
- Housing projects.
- Maintenance of sewage networks.
