ABU DHABI // The Federal National Council session on Tuesday proved there was a clear conflict of interest in the council.
Since I knew about the controversy surrounding a cement factory in Ras Al Khaimah and how residents living in the mountain areas have long complained of pollution, the often-cryptic debate was easy to follow.
Before the debate had begun on the environmental protection law amendments, RAK council member Ahmed Al Amash said one of the amendments which regulated the production and exportation of cement factories through the federal government needed to be removed.
He claimed it was a clear conflict of federal and local government roles. He was then backed by the majority of RAK members – Dr Abdulrahim Al Shahin even read a line from the constitution in a compelling argument to make the matter undebatable.
Even though the amendment would affect four other emirates who also had factories, it was odd that RAK members were particularly aggressive in demanding the removal of the clause. They all said the federal government had no business regulating factory exports, and said this had no effect on the environment.
Even after several attempts from the Minister of Environment and Water and other members to convince them otherwise, the members held firm. If anything, the debate made them dig in.
With his hands in the air, Mohammed Al Murr, Speaker of the FNC, had to step in to end the debate.
The response of Dr Rashid bin Fahad, the Environment Minister, is what was really interesting. He lowered his head to come closer to his microphone and pointed his forefinger at those members who opposed the amendment. He said the clause would be a pivotal moment for them. It would be a decision that would make them heroes to so many who have suffered from the pollution. He said it was their national obligation to consider the public’s health and the environment above financial gain.
I was surprised he did not remind them of the oath they took almost four years ago when they assumed their roles.
His words seemed to have no effect on the members. Although he did not mention names or emirates, he told the members that the amendment was not a malicious decision intended for anyone specifically.
What many did not realise, and possibly the members had hoped no one would pick up on, was that a lot was at stake for a few of the RAK members.
Outside the FNC, Mr Al Amash, who spearheaded the debate to remove the amendment, manages the Gulf Cement in RAK, which has been named the largest cement producer in emerging markets. It has made him infamous in his emirate .
As members continued to argue, citing economical risk, the only RAK member to approve the amendment started to sway. Ultimate, a vote was taken and the majority rule for the amendment.
One member anonymously said another was using the council chambers for his own personal gains, placing them above the federation. He said this was not the first time such a thing had happened.
It is unclear how much the amendment will affect the cement company, but the FNC debate made it clear that it is time that members declare their conflicts of interest. The law says an FNC member cannot simultaneously work for the federal government. But it also does not require those working in local government or for private businesses to announce their roles.
Several times during interviews, members would say they were “businessmen”, but when pressed they would not disclose any information.
The council’s media department has faced the same trouble in getting information from members. The session proved the importance of transparency among members to ensure there are no questions in the future of conflict of interest.
Although it is the member’s role to hold a mirror up to the Government, it is time they allowed the public to hold a mirror up to them.
osalem@thenational.ae
