FNC struggles to fill committees

FNC struggles to find enough members who are willing to volunteer for its sub-committees.

ABU DHABI // The FNC struggled yesterday to find enough willing members to fill its committees.

A recent increase in the number of the council’s committees – there are now nine, including the newly formed Human Rights Committee – means some members are required to sit on more than one committee, said Mohammed Al Murr, the FNC Speaker.

Each of the nine committees requires seven members, so there are 63 spots to fill, but there are only 39 FNC members to fill them (the 40th member, the Speaker, is not eligible). No member is allowed to sit on more than two committee.

While the Legislative and Legal committee and the Interior and Defence committee were all filled without difficulty there was less enthusiasm for joining the Education, Media and Youth committee.

Dr Mona Al Bahar (Dubai) was quick to volunteer, as were Noura Al Kaabi (Abu Dhabi), Ayesha Al Yammahi (Fujairah), and Hamad Al Rahoomi (Dubai), but then there was silence.

“Emiratis rely on this committee to discuss issues that concern them,” Mr Al Murr said in an effort to prompt more volunteers.

Yet, none of the members responded.

“We need three more,” Mr Al Murr told the quiet council.

The apparent deadlock was solved when Faisal Al Teniji (RAK), Ahmed Al Shamsi (Ajman), and Dr Sheikha Al Erri (UAQ) agreed to join.

The council also struggled to find volunteers for the Islamic Affairs, Awqaf, and Public Facilities committee, but by the end of the council’s five-hour opening session, all nine committees’ were complete.