UAE: Housing for nationals top priority, says VP

(Wam) / 27 November 2013

He launches projects worth Dh5b, visits school and houses of Emiratis in Fujairah, Khorfakkan 


His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has underlined that the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, takes interest in the provision of housing and welfare for citizens.

He added that the President in all his tours enquires about the conditions of citizens so as to provide better living conditions to them.
Shaikh Mohammed made the remarks during a field tour to the northeastern regions of the UAE on Tuesday morning. He was accompanied by Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs.
The tour comes within the plans of the UAE government to achieve the comprehensive and sustainable development nationwide. Upon the directives by the UAE President, Shaikh Mohammed launched a number of housing initiatives worth Dh5 billion to benefit over 10,000 Emiratis.
The Vice-President commenced his tour at the residential complex project in Al Seouh district in Sharjah, being implemented by the Zayed Housing Programme (ZHP). He was briefed by Abdullah Belhaiv Al Nuaimi, Minister of Public Works and Chairman of the ZHP, about the environment-friendly residential project that meets the requirements of citizens. About 63 per cent of the project has been accomplished so far. It includes 406 residences and is being built at a cost Dh301 million.
Touring the residences, Shaikh Mohammed endorsed the concept of new residential complexes across the UAE. He ordered officials to name the residential complex as ‘Union Complex’.
He also toured the Khalifa residential complex in Dibba-Fujairah area, where he inspected 384 ready houses built at a cost of Dh350 million, to be delivered to entitled citizens. Shaikh Mohammed also endorsed the initial approvals for granting Dh3 billion, which will benefit 6,000 citizens. He also approved the names of 1,971 citizens who will collect about Dh1 billion.
The Vice-President ordered the construction of three residential complexes in Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah and Umm Al Quwain at a cost of Dh1.2 billion, which will benefit 1,200 citizens. During the tour, Shaikh Mohammed instructed the chairman of the ZHP to start with immediate effect the distribution of 800 residential villas in Sharjah and Fujairah to the citizens. He also toured the streets and quarters of Dibba-Fujairah to get the first-hand information about the conditions of citizens.
Shaikh Mohammed visited the family of a 90-year-old paralysed Emirati, Ali Abdullah Al Hassani, at Al Raheeb district in Fujairah. He read about his condition in the Press in April and ordered the treatment for Al Hassan and his wife.
Shaikh Mohammed also toured the 32km Dibba-Korfakkan road project being implemented by the Ministry of Public Works.
He visited a school in Khorfakkan, where he met the teaching and administrative staff and students. He attended the National Day celebrations at the school.
Shaikh Mohammed had lunch in Wirariah Valley in Fujairah. He was accompanied by Shaikh Mansour, Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister for Cabinet Affairs; Mohammed Abdullah Belhaiv, Minister of Public Works; and Ahmed Jumaa Al Zaabi, Deputy Minister of Presidential Affairs.

The Vice-President talked to the media on the federal government, saying the government is set to achieve the development projects to ensure welfare of the citizens, adding that the housing projects would not be deferred or delayed. “he best is coming and we will not stop working because the UAE was founded on the optimism and cohesion between the leadership and people,” he added.