DM projects worth Dhs144 million

He noted that the civic body is currently undertaking four projects with a total budget of Dhs144 million, that address various needs of the society. They include the third phase of the Dubai Women's College, Headquarters for the Dubai Awqaf & Islamic Affairs, Public Library in Al Towar and some additions to the Dubai Abattoir.

Touring work sites of the projects along with senior officials of the department, Bukhash said work on all these projects were progressing as scheduled and they would be completed on time.

He said the Dhs108 million Dubai Women's College would be a major boost for the education sector of the country especially as the government places a lot of attention on this sector.

"This state-of-the-art facility would offer the students a right environment for learning. We are keen on completing this project in April 2006 so that it can be fully utilised for the next academic year (2006-2007)," said Bukhash.

He added that Phase Three of the project, which represents 60 per cent of the College Master Plan, include construction of eight educational blocks, three lecture halls, auditorium, students' centre, a new student's pick-up bay, external bus sheds along with all relevant infrastructure works. Of these, Educational Block No.2 was completed in June last and would be used from this academic year (2005-06).

The extension is planned to meet the future enrolments at the college and the works will cover a finished built-up area of 40,000 square meters.

The Dhs22 million Awqaf Headquarters project involves construction and maintenance of the department offices for nearly 350 staff, a multi-purpose hall for 250 persons and a parking lot for 316 cars.

Works of the three-storied office complex, being built at a total area of nearly 13000 square meters, began in August last year and the building is expected to be ready within two months.

"The project's design is unique as it incorporates the traditional Islamic architectural styles. The new headquarters will help the Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Department to meet all its existing and future needs," said Bukhash.

He noted that the building would be a model Islamic edifice that would be a centre of Islamic thought and symbolize the spiritual message, spread by the Dubai Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Department.

The Dhs10 million Public Library in Al Towar is expected to be ready by January next year. This project involves construction of a two-story building consisting of a main library of 12,000 books and with a capacity for 150 readers and a children's library of 9,000 books with a capacity for 100 readers. There would be two multi-purpose halls for both adults and children with a capacity of 150 persons each, in addition to a cafeteria, administration block and prayer rooms.

The Dhs4 million additions to Dubai Abattoir, which were completed recently, included offices, chilled store room, meat cutting room, an animal yard, and maintenance work to the existing facilities.