ABU DHABI // Abdulaziz Al Zaabi was first introduced to the Federal National Council while he was working for the Ministry of Finance.
As an official in the budgeting department, he would often accompany the Minister of State for Finance Affairs to the FNC to sit through law and budget discussions.
“My expectations of the FNC’s work and the reality were one and the same,” he said. “There were no surprises there. Working with the FNC before helped me know how they worked and what to expect.”
When he first stepped into the vast chambers in Abu Dhabi, Mr Al Zaabi’s first thought was how grand and developed the country’s parliament was.
“I thought those in the FNC were very well organised and reached a very developed stage,” he said. “I felt everything was at a very high standard. And I was proud.”
Although Mr Al Zaabi had no desire to join the FNC at that time, he is grateful for his appointment in 2011 and has since come to value his experience on the council.
“It is a great responsibility and a national duty,” he said. “From the moment when you take the oath in front of the President, Sheikh Khalifa, to serving our beloved country. We are proud to be here and to be in this role.”
Mr Al Zaabi cannot think of a better time to serve in the FNC than now, when the country is “thriving”.
“I carry huge pride to be in the FNC and at this time, which is considered one of the best for the UAE in all fields. In housing, health services, infrastructure and social services, they are all at their best. A time when the UAE has succeeded in its competitiveness and in pleasing its citizens. We are all going in one direction: for the happiness of its nationals.”
During his three years on the council, Mr Al Zaabi has asked four questions of the Government and has received responses to all.
He said he has not faced any sort of obstacle nor was there any cause of concern when it came to putting the council’s agenda together.
“Our meetings are all arranged based on needs of the legislations, topics and questions. Everything has a set time and schedule, we do not work more or less at different times, it’s all well-organised,” he said.
“The 40 council members work towards serving the country. There is nothing I would like to change in the council. We are happy to do anything that would serve the country.”
Aside from pride in his work, the father of eight also takes pride in family.
“Forming a family is an achievement,” he said. “And to serve the country - these are achievements. From the moment you graduate up to where you reach today, your achievements continue. Serving the country also comes in the form of forming a family and raising a new generation.”
Mr Al Zaabi currently sits on the council’s Economy and Finance Committee.
osalem@thenational.ae
