UMM AL QUWAIN// A new walkway along the Corniche has received a mixed reception from residents.
Earlier this year, work on the Dh200 million pathway was finished.
While residents said it had enhanced the seafront area, they still thought it needed further improvements before it began to attract visitors from elsewhere.
Feras Suleiman, 23, a Jordanian civil engineer who has lived in Umm Al Quwain for 14 years, said: “In my opinion, this project is only for residents of UAQ, not really for external visitors.”
He did say it was a good amenity for people who live in the emirate.
“This new pathway is nice and encourages people to do exercise, walk, swim, and sit with their families and friends,” he said.
“In the past, UAQ lacked a place where its residents could sit and entertain themselves outdoors. This new pathway has improved the life for us residents.”
Yusuf Ahmed, 39, an English teacher from Jordan, said: “Umm al Quwain needed this project a long time ago. But the new pathway on the corniche needs more light because the lighting is too weak. And more games for children.”
He also said it was in need of important facilities that other emirates’ seafronts have, such as restaurants and cafes.
“The most important thing that it is lacking are toilets, which is a big problem because people who need to use the bathroom have to go to their house.”
He said he was a regular visitor to the corniche with his children, but sometimes they were bored because of a lack of entertainment.
“Hopefully [the municipality] will get round to building the entertainment activities and restaurants that we need. Then, it will be an attractive tourist destination for many people. I hope it will be a competitor to Ajman corniche.”
Qusay Khalaf, 37, a Syrian cafe manager, said that he and his wife and children go to the pathway once a week when the weather is nice.
“Because of the poor lighting, I feel after 11pm that I am sitting in an abandoned place,” Mr Khalaf said. “And it also needs more support because it does not have any attractive thing for people and tourists, such as restaurants.”
A spokesman for the Public Works and Service Department in Umm Al Quwain said residents’ concerns about the pathway would be addressed.
“The reason behind this project is to improve the emirate and its tourist destination and to provide an entertaining place for people,” he said. “It will be developed further through opening shops, cafes and restaurants and providing a children’s play area, benches and umbrellas on the beach.”
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