Khalifa restructures emirate's government

Abu Dhabi: President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan has issued five decrees and four laws regarding the development and restructuring of the Abu Dhabi Government.

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, the Abu Dhabi Government Restructuring Committee was set up under a resolution issued by Shaikh Khalifa last February.

It was set up to supervise the implementation of the restructuring programme to organise the public sector in a scientific method within a specified time frame. The committee finalised the implementation of the first phase, which framed the restructuring strategy.

It announced the start of the second phase yesterday. It will see the gradual and smooth switchover to the new structure providing continuity in services.

To achieve these goals, Shaikh Khalifa issued the new decrees and laws. Law No.2 of 2006 gives wide-ranging powers to the General Secretariat of the Executive Council to be able to play its role perfectly.

Law No.3 of 2006 stipulates the creation of the Executive Affairs Authority as a corporate body enjoying full legal and financial independence and competency. The authority is assigned to supervise, study, analyse and implement the emirate's policies and strategies.

Shaikh Khalifa issued Emiri decree No.4 of 2006, appointing Khaldoun Khalifa Al Mubarak as Chairman of the authority, and a member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council.

Emiri decree No.4 of 2006, sets up the Abu Dhabi Transport Department under which departments of Civil Aviation and Sea Ports will be merged.

Decree No.5 of 2006 sets up the Abu Dhabi Ports Company, to be responsible for operating the emirate's seaports with a capital of Dh500 million.

Decree No.6 of 2006 sets up the Abu Dhabi Airports Company, with a capital of Dh500 million. It will be responsible for operating the emirate's airports.

Emiri decree No.7 of 2006 appoints Shaikh Saeed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saif Al Nahyan as members of the Executive Council.

Decree No.8 of 2006 appoints Dr Jowan Salem Al Daheri as Head of the Department of Municipalities and Agriculture, Khalfan Gaith Al Muhairbi as Head of the Transport Department, and Rashid Mubarak Al Hajiri as Head of the Civil Service Department. Law No.5 of 2006 scraps the Department of Social Services and Commercial Buildings.