Sheikh Hamdan orders construction of 10 housing complexes for low-income UAE nationals

He instructed the municipal officials to build 10 housing complexes for limited income nationals in various parts of the emirate.

Sheikh Hamdan was briefed on the projects by Eng. Hussain Nasser Lootah, Acting Director General of Dubai Municipality, in the presence of senior officials of the civic body.

Lootah said the municipality is already undertaking various government housing projects at a cost of Dhs563 million. Other projects undertaken by the civic body included a Dhs250 million annex for the DM headquarters bordered by Al Maktoum Street and Omar Bin Al Khattab Street. The uniquely designed building would consist of three underground floors for parking, four upper stories for municipality offices and a 16-story tower housing offices that will be available for rent to private sector.

The building, designed as "smart building" thanks to its hi-tech facilities, would add offer a visual treat to the passers by as it would harmonize well with the surroundings.

Sheikh Hamdan was also briefed about a Dhs 47 million project to build semi-Olympic swimming pools in four sports clubs of Dubai.

The pools, which will be set up in Al Ahli, Al Wasl, Shabab and Al Nasr clubs, are expected to be ready by August 2007. The new facility will offer coaching to aspiring swimmers in Dubai in line with international standards.

The project comprises of a full-fledged training facility in swimming in each of the four clubs. The facility would consist a semi-Olympic swimming pool with a total area of 312.5 square meters, a stadium with a capacity of 340 people, health club, cafeteria, changing rooms, toilets and administrative offices.

The building would be centrally air-conditioned and fitted with a state-of-the-art water treatment system and electronic score boards - all in line with international standards set by authorised sports bodies.

Other projects viewed by Sheikh Hamdan included the plans for setting up Dubai Municipality centres in Al Towar, Um Suqeim and Rashidiya in addition to DM offices in Al Barsha, Hor Al Anz and Al Qusais. The overall cost of these projects is Dhs96 million.

Works of Al Towar DM Centre are already underway while the works of other two centres would begin within the next two days. These full-fledged centres would have separate counters for different departments of the municipality, other local government departments, and other related services. The three small offices would offer civic services only.

The municipality is also building sports halls in four government schools of Dubai which are Al Hudaibia, Jumeira, Asma Bint Noman and Al Dhohra in Hatta. Each facility will have a multi-purpose sports hall, stadium, gymnasium, changing rooms, first aid rooms, administrative offices, meeting rooms and other facilities.

Parking lots and external gardens will also form the project. Al Dhahra school in Hatta will be provided with a medium-sized swimming pool. The project would be tendered by mid-October 2006.