Work on the Dibba-Masafi road to start next week

Fujairah: Reconstruction work on the Dibba-Masafi road will start next week at a total cost of Dh600 million, according to Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister for Public Works.

The minister was commenting during a brief visit on Tuesday to the Rughailaat fishing port in Fujairah, where he met with members of the local fishing association.

Sheikh Hamdan said the reconstruction project will expand the Dibba-Masafi road from a single to a double-carriageway, fundamentally altering the notoriously dangerous route.

The minister, however, revealed the reconstruction project will alter the road at certain locations in the area of Masafi to bypass private property and difficult terrain.

He said, “The reconstruction project will alter the main road at certain mountainous locations to avoid spiraling costs and time delays.

“Also, the project will not remove houses and businesses to expand on either side of the road, along the Masafi area, because it is not our job and will be very costly.

“Such a job is down to the local municipalities which should have the vision to plan for such essential improvements in public infrastructure'', the minister added.

Meeting representatives of Fujairah Fishing Association, Sheikh Hamdan was presented with plans to expand the Rughailaat fishing port to increase capacity from 150 to over 250 boats.

The minister promised to study the plans as part of a recently announced Dh400 million expansion and refurbishment projects for all fishing ports in the UAE.