Dubai: His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, started his tour of the Eastern and Central regions of the UAE on Thursday at Masfout in Ajman, where he inspected the houses being built for needy citizens and was briefed about the project's accomplishment progress.
He then visited Sha'abiat Al Qour, where he met citizens and chatted with them about their needs.
Shaikh Mohammad met Emirati Mohammad Salem Khamis, who was sitting on the ground outside his homse.
He sat beside the 90-year-old man, who recognised Shaikh Mohammad, calling him Abu Rashid, and asked him about his health, living conditions and needs, but the Emirati only prayed for Shaikh Mohammad, who issued instructions to provide a fully equipped villa for the man and his family.
Instructions
Shaikh Mohammad then went to the Al Munai'e police station in Ras Al Khaimah, where he enquired about any complaints from citizens due to the recent rain, and instructed that he be informed about any complaints from those whose property was damaged.
A man read a poem welcoming Shaikh Mohammad and describing him as a knight who never withheld his generosity and charity from his people.
Shaikh Mohammad's six-hour tour included the villages of Al Huawailat, Seeh Al Mahab, Al Naslah, the Aswad border point with Oman, Sukhaibar, Al Wa'ab, Wadi Al Tawa and Wadi Al Ujaili, where residents waved at him along the way.
He inspected the Shouka dam in Ras Al Khaimah, which has a water depth of 10 metres and an area of 275,000 square metres, and the 80-metre high and 110-metre long Al Aim dam, which has an area of 500,000 square metres and serves the areas of Uthun, Al Hemraniah and Sha'abiat Al Aim in Ras Al Khaimah.
Shaikh Mohammad also visited Sha'abiat Al Khazan in Ras Al Khaimah, where he toured villages and talked to people to ensure their houses were not affected by the rain.
During the tour, Shaikh Mohammad told the editors-in-chief of newspapers, who had accompanied him on his visit, that he had instructed the Ministry of Financial and Industrial Affairs to start building 40,000 villas for Emiratis in various areas immediately.
The project, to be implemented at a cost of Dh15 billion, and will be completed in three to four years, and villas will be given to Emiratis who need housing, Shaikh Mohammad said. The social aid budget will be increased by 100 per cent to Dh2.2 billion immediately.
Shaikh Mohammad visited a police station and enquired about any complaints from citizens due to the recent rain.
100% hike to Dh2.2 b
Shaikh Mohammad said that 40,000 villas would be built all over the country for UAE nationals, while the social aid budget will be doubled.
He said the social aid budget would be increased by 100 per cent to Dh2.2 billion, with immediate effect.
