ABU DHABI // The Executive Council on Wednesday allocated Dh17.5 billion for housing, infrastructure, education and other projects across the emirate next year.
The committee, chaired by Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, on Wednesday met to sign off on capital developments for the year.
The largest slice of the budget, Dh5.9bn, will go towards housing projects, while Dh4.3bn has been set aside for infrastructure, Dh1.8bn for education, Dh614 million for government facilities and Dh644m for social centres.
Three contracts were awarded for the Dh2.36bn Emirati Neighbourhood project in Madinat Zayed, to house 370,000 citizens.
The contracts for the 4,500-hectare project will cover roads, 2,755 residential plots, 37 mos-ques, 47 gardens and 13 primary and high schools.
The Western Region will receive a 50-kilometre road linking Madinat Zayed to Al Marfa in works worth about Dh664m.
The Executive Council also reviewed the progress of continuing work including Al Maqta Gateway Project, linking all of parts of Abu Dhabi’s import and export business and making cargo exchange easier among the emirate’s ports.
They discussed the progress of the 62km, eight-lane road between Seih Shuaib and Sweihan, with a total cost of Dh2.1bn.
Also on the agenda was the implementation of the 453 hectares National Housing Development Project in Jebel Hafeet in Al Ain, with 3,000 homes, eight mosques and other facilities.
The council looked at progress on another Al Ain housing project, Al Fayda, which stretches over 375 hectares with 2,000 homes, schools, mosques, health clinics, childcare centres, shops and a sports centre.
They checked on advances at Al Ain Ladies Club, which covers 17,322-square metres and will give women a centre for sports, cultural and entertainment events.
Al Maqta Tenders Opening Hall has commenced operations, the council heard. It provides logistic services for bids on capital projects of more than Dh100m.
Tenders for government bodies in Abu Dhabi have been thrown open for transparency and open competition between providers and contractors, and to attract foreign investment.
The developments in setting up Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City in Abu Dhabi were also discussed. The project, with beds for 732 patients, stretches over 245,000 square metres.
It will have operating rooms, emergency departments, intensive-care units, maternity units, a medical research centre and underground parking for more than 1,350 cars.
The council also looked into ways to promote current projects in line with the relevant government goals and plans.
The budget is guided by the vision of Sheikh Khalifa, the President, to support the stability and well-being of the emirate’s citizens.
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