Ras Al Khaimah residents look to own back yards for improvements

Locals want to see FNC candidates pledge to repair roads, instal streetlights and reopen the Awafi Arena.

Ismaeel Al Malki, 23, a petrol engineer, takes issue with the lack of trained doctors using high-tech equipment. Pawan Singh / The National

RAS AL KHAIMAH // Many residents complain that the improvements made by RAK in expanding its a tourism do not extend to their neighbourhoods.

Voters from areas such as Al Dhait, Khuzam and Shamal have complained of crumbling roads, poor pavements and inadequate street lighting.

Now, they are looking to the FNC candidates to win their vote and take action once elected.

› Ahead of the FNC election day on October 3, The National's reporters are travelling across the seven emirates to speak to Emiratis and find out the issues that affect them – and what they expect from members of a new Federal National Council. Read them here.

Student Abdulla Ghanem, 19, wants roads repaired, and a rise in salary for government employees in RAK.

“The streets of RAK are broken in Al Mairid, Khuzam and Shamal areas, and I ask for them to be repaired,” Mr Ghanem said.

“Something needs to be done about the low salaries in the local government departments, which lead the citizens to go to Abu Dhabi and work there.”

His friend Khalid Al Kass, also 19, said he had lived in his area for four years and that there was never sufficient street lighting.

“At night, we cannot see anything, so we use the cars’ lights,” Mr Al Kass said.

Ismaeel Al Malki, 23, a petrol engineer, takes issue with the lack of experienced doctors at government hospitals in RAK despite the modern equipment.

“The high-tech medical equipment is available in Saqr and Saif bin Ghobash hospitals, but the doctors there are inexperienced and all people in the emirate complain about that,” Mr Al Malki said. “I ask the new FNC members to provide doctors who have better experience.”

He said that military service should not extend to teenagers, as they were too young to be able to use weapons.

“In my opinion, the conscription should not be for 18-year-olds because they can be reckless, so they should start taking them from the age of 20 because, at this age, they are able to use weapons and are a little bit more mature,” he said.

One issue repeatedly emerged – the reopening of Awafi Arena, which was closed in 2011 after residents complained the race circuit was dangerous.

Emirati student Mohammed Al Tamhi,19, said the closure meant youths were driving dangerously on the roads instead of in a controlled environment.

“Awafi Arena should be reopened and expanded because we are seeing drifting on the streets,” he said. “So it is better for us and for the sake others who are out on the streets.”