Strategy places emphasis on public participation

Abu Dhabi: The five-year strategy announced by Abu Dhabi yesterday for 2008-2012 places an emphasis on the role of the private sector and public participation in the development of municipalities and public service facilities.

A municipal charter was also signed by the Department of Municipal Affairs and three municipalities in the emirate.

The strategy announced by the Department of Municipal Affairs of Abu Dhabi, declares a commitment towards abandoning the traditional role of government and municipal bodies in the operation and management of public utilities in the emirate.

Plan

This will be replaced by an established network from the private sector which will play a key role in securing and improving public services, announced Dr Jouan Salem Ali Al Daheri, Chairman of the Department of Municipal Affairs at a press conference.

The new strategic plan is based on the overall development scheme launched by the Abu Dhabi government for the restructuring of government departments.

The plan places priority on encouraging the population to increase their participation and give their feedback on municipal services to ensure that decisions made are consistent with residents' wishes.

It is one of six major priorities that the Department of Municipal Affairs has highlighted to improve municipal works.

The government has also envisaged assigning DMA to administer the Municipal Council Election process in the future.

Following the declaration, the "Municipal Charter" was signed by the Department of Municipal Affairs, on the one hand, and the Municipalities of Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and the Western Region, on the other hand.

Binding

The charter, which is a binding document among the parties, defines the relationship between the three municipalities and the Department of Municipal Affairs and ensures the commitment of all concerned parties to the establishment of an effective system for municipal work that serves both the business sector and residents alike.