The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company for Distribution (Adnoc-Fod) yesterday launched the UAE's first major highway pertrol station that will provide travellers with a host of services covering petrol, auto technical test,car wash, oil change, food, medicine and other facilities.

Al Mussaffah station on the highway linking the UAE to other GCC countries, cost around Dh13 million and is one of six major services facilities to be set up on key UAE highways.

Adnoc-Fod said it was carrying out the project in line with the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

"The purpose is to ensure comfort and convenience for travellers and highway motorists and to encourage the flourishing tourism sector by supporting shopping and festivals with high standard services," said Jamal Al Dharif, Adnoc-Fod general manager.

The station includes fast food restaurants, a pharmacy, children's playgrounds, a mosque, motor recovery services, police and ambulance offices.

The other five stations will be built at Al Samha on the Abu Dhabi-Dubai motorway, Abu Al-Abyad on Abu Dhabi-Al Silaa road, and Ramha on the Abu Dhabi-Al Ain highway.