Abu Dhabi: His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, urged members of the federal legislature to "listen to the people" and continue to cooperate with the government.
He was addressing the House — the 14th term of which ends next February — on behalf of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
In his welcome speech, the Speaker of the Federal National Council (FNC), Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair, called for more powers and wider political participation.
"Devote your time and energy to closely and continuously communicate with the people and listen to their day-to-day concerns and needs," Shaikh Mohammad said as he inaugurated the fifth session of the FNC yesterday with a speech to the House, Crown Princes of the Emirates, top Army and government officials and diplomats.
Shaikh Mohammad also called on the Council to continue to cooperate with the government for the good of the beloved homeland and its people.
Shaikh Mohammad urged the members of the chamber to air people's concerns and try hard to find solutions and send viable recommendations to the government and follow implementation.
"As we open the FNC's session today, we recall our forward march and cherish the memories of our forefathers who laid down the foundations of the UAE Federation," Shaikh Mohammad said.
He stressed the House was effective in discussing issues of interest to the people, being responsible in cooperation with the government and being distinguished ambassadors of the UAE abroad.
Earlier, Speaker Al Ghurair renewed allegiance to the UAE and called for greater legislative powers to broaden political participation.
He praised "the government's keenness to empower the FNC in exercising its legislative and monitoring role through a gradual process that would reach its aspired goal."
In the national programme presented in 2005, Shaikh Khalifa had promised full direct elections without setting a time-frame.
Political empowerment
Last year, Shaikh Mohammad pledged in his speech to the nation on National Day, that political empowerment would continue with the expansion of the FNC's authority, strengthening its role in the nation and reasserting the Shura (consultation) approach to governance.
The current FNC session will debate Emiratisation in the government and private sectors, food security, water resources and policies of the Interior Ministry, Dr Mohammad Salem Al Mazroui, Secretary-General of the House, told Gulf News.
He said the council will also review a draft law on the establishment of the UAE's Development Bank and a bill on the legislature's field commissions.
The 14th term of the council will end in February and a presidential decree will be needed to convene it again.
