'Turn people's concerns into work programmes'

Abu Dhabi: Members of the Federal National Council (FNC) were urged on Monday to become more involved in their constituencies by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

"Plans that are based on interaction with people in your constituencies are more effective than those made behind closed doors," Shaikh Mohammad said and affirmed the country's commitment to political participation of the public through the House.

"[The House's] committees should interact more with the country's institutions and people in their constituencies to learn about people's needs ... do not just hold official meetings because the most successful agenda is one that is based on situation on the ground and not that is made behind closed doors," Shaikh Mohammad said in his address at the opening of the third session of the 14th legislative term of the FNC.

Public involvement

Shaikh Mohammad stressed that the UAE is heralding an era of greater public involvement in the decision-making process to achieve further socio-economic and political development, saying: "We expect more from the House as we believe that the FNC has more potential to closely monitoring people's concerns and turn them into working programmes and finding negative aspects and turn them into questions to be discussed with authorities."

Shaikh Mohammad praised the distinguished role played by the women members of the House. "Our bet on the Emirati women has proved to be the winning bid and trust was bestowed on the right group."

He stressed the UAE was aiming at entering the ranks of more advanced countries in all fields.

Addressing the house, Shaikh Mohammad said, "On behalf of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, I feel honoured to declare the third session of the 14th legislative chapter of the FNC open", hoping that the opening session would bring about more progress and prosperity for both the country and its people.

Shaikh Mohammad noted that the "opening of this session comes ahead of the 37th anniversary, the anniversary which marks the day our federation was founded", adding that the anniversary "spurs the nation to go ahead with the comprehensive renaissance project."

He said the UAE is equipped with determination and will achieve its objectives with inspiration from the legacy of its forefathers, ambitious visions and the governmental strategic plan.

Shaikh Mohammad addressed the Crown Princes, shaikhs, ministers and diplomats for his hopes for the upcoming year in making the UAE on par with more advanced countries.

"We are certain of the impact our ambitions will have on us as a nation, but we are prepared to take every step to address these impacts efficiently."

Addressing the House, Speaker Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair, praised the political leadership for "allowing the FNC to practice its legislative and control powers efficiently and without red lines."

He cited the prompt decisions taken by the political leadership to mitigate the impact of the global financial crisis.

Al Ghurair also pledged to save no effort for the good of the country, the people and the House.

This FNC session is crucial as many people expect that it might see the introduction of constitutional changes to transform the Federal National Council (FNC) into a full-fledged legislative House - that will scrutinise the functioning of the government, lawmakers said here on Wednesday.

The UAE's unicameral parliament, which concluded the second session of its legislative term in July, is looking forward to more powers, to be able to scrutinise the Government. It is keen on having more members on board and is looking forward to a longer term, according to the legislators.

The FNC plays an advisory role to the President, the Supreme Council of Rulers and the Cabinet.

Lawmakers said the council has shown increasing capacity for thoughtful debate and is looking forward to a brighter future to manage an expanded mandate.

"[The House's] committees should interact more with the country's institutions and people in their constituencies to learn about people's needs."

We are certain of the impact our ambitions will have on us as a nation, but we are prepared to take every step to address these impacts efficiently."