ABU DHABI // Ten thousand Emiratis are set to benefit from a Dh5 billion housing initiative launched yesterday by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, the Vice President and Ruler of Dubai.
Sheikh Mohammed announced the programme while touring the Northern Emirates. The Vice President visited the project sites and met with citizens, the state news agency Wam said.
The first phase of the initiative will see Dh3bn go towards benefiting 6,000 citizens. Sheikh Mohammed also approved the names of 1,971 citizens who will receive Dh 1bn in benefits.
He also ordered the immediate distribution of 800 residential villas to citizens in Sharjah and Fujairah, as well the construction of three residential complexes in Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah and Umm Al Quwain, for 1,200 citizens, at a cost of Dh1.2bn.
The initiatives were launched under the directives of Sheikh Khalifa, the President, who Sheikh Mohammed said always asked about the conditions of citizens in order to provide them with better living standards.
The remarks were made during his tour, which saw him visit a Sharjah housing project, which, once complete, will include 406 residences at a cost of Dh301 million.
He also toured the Khalifa residential complex in Dibba, Fujairah, where 384 houses costing Dh350m are ready to be delivered to eligible citizens.
Sheikh Mohammed endorsed the concept of new residential complexes across the country, naming the one in Dibba “Union Complex”.
During his stop in Fujairah he toured the streets to meet with the local citizens.
One of the families Sheikh Mohammed visited was that of a 90-year-old paralysed UAE citizen, Ali Abdullah Al Hassani, from the Al Raheeb district.
After reading about his condition through reports in the media earlier this year, Sheikh Mohammed ordered Mr Al Hassani and his wife be provided with the treatment they required.
Sheikh Mohammed also toured the Kor Fakkan area where he inspected the 32 kilometre-long Dibba-Kor Fakkan road project, which is being built by the Ministry of Public Works. He also took the time to attend a local school’s National day celebration, where he met with teachers and other staff.
Sheikh Mohammed was accompanied by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, Mohammed Al Gargawi, Minister for Cabinet Affairs, Mohammed Abdullah Belhaiv, Minister of Public Works, and Ahmed Jumaa Al Za’abi, Deputy Minister of Presidential Affairs.
During yesterday’s tour the Vice President announced that the government said the housing projects would not be deferred or delayed as it was set to achieve the development projects to ensure welfare for its citizens.
“The best is coming and we will not stop working because the UAE was founded on optimism and cohesion between the leadership and people,” he said.
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