Abu Dhabi: Several infrastructure and service projects worth Dh37.3 billion were yesterday approved by the Abu Dhabi Government to enhance the emirate’s development and economic growth.

The projects, ranging from road and electricity networks, to water drainage and sewerage systems and housing complexes were approved at the Abu Dhabi Executive Council’s meeting chaired by General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

This is the first meeting of the council after it was restructured recently.

The move is in line with the directives of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan to spare no effort to ensure that Emirati citizens enjoy a dignified and stable standard of living.

Five-year plan

These projects will be implemented in the current year as part of five-year allocations of Dh330 billion that were approved earlier by the council.

This year’s allocations include Dh12.7 billion for housing and social facilities, Dh11.9 billion for government management, Dh3.1 billion for economic affairs, Dh2.5 billion for health care projects and Dh2.4 billion for the education sector.

“The UAE, through the translation of its comprehensive development vision, is mainly targeting UAE human resources, out of its solid belief in man as the main capital and pillar for the success of any future development plans,” Shaikh Mohammad said.

He highlighted the great attention extended by the wise leadership to the youth generations, empowered with knowledge and skills that enable them to battle challenges and build a bright future.

These allocations will help boost Abu Dhabi’s plans to develop its economy as well as support the private sector’s involvement as a key partner of the government sector. The allocations also include Dh17.5 billion for the water and electricity sector, Dh568 million for food commodities,

The council approved the construction of 348 housing units worth Dh637.2 million in Al Shuaiba and Al Shuwaib residential projects.

Infrastructure

The Al Shuwaib housing project is being set up over an area of 390,000 square metres, and comprises 186 housing units costing Dh333.9 million, while Al Shuaiba occupies an area of 420,000 square metres, and includes 162 housing units costing Dh303.3 million.

The council also approved road and infrastructure projects in different parts of the emirate, including electricity network, water drainage, sewerage, telecom, parking lots and pedestrian crossings.

It approved a 112km-long road costing Dh515 million in Eastern Region of Abu Dhabi, and a Dh237 million, 20km-road in Mohammad Bin Zayed City.

The council also awarded the construction of the National Rehabilitation Centre to a contracting company. The project involves the building of a rehabilitation unit for drug addicts, administrative and service buildings. It also approved the construction of a road network and the upper interchange of the Abu Dhabi airport, as well as setting up new spaces for nine craft.