Khaleej Times November 25, 2009 By Afkar Abdullah
AJMAN — A huge waste recycling plant is among a slew of projects being planned for next year, Shaikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Ajman Department of Municipality has said.
In an interview with Khaleej Times recently, Shaikh Rashid said these projects are aimed at ensuring better life for the residents and attracting investments and businesses to the emirate.
The waste recycling plant will be located behind the cement factory in Al Jarf Industrial Area and will handle 80-90 per cent of all waste generated in the emirate. “Work is already on to set up the plant,” he said.
In the beginning of 2010, the Zayed Bridge Tunnel linking Shaikh Khalifa Street with Shaikh Maktoum Road will be built by the Department of Public Works as part of the infrastructure projects announced by the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, two years ago. The projects are estimated to cost more than Dh200 million.
Shaikh Rashid said the municipality is implementing a number of road projects such as Shaikh Maktoum Road expansion and construction of two bridges on Shaikh Zayed Street near GMC Hospital at a cost of Dh70 million. These are expected to be completed by the end of next year.
The municipality has already completed the designing of the road network in the Al Zawra project and an agreement to undertake marine works worth Dh400 million under the project will be concluded soon. The work will begin in the beginning of next year.
“Al Zawra is the emirate’s only Dh2-billion project. The amount is already deposited in banks for infrastructure development in the city. We have estimated that Dh400 million will be needed to undertake marine works and the agreement for this is expected to be signed soon.”
On re-planning of other areas, Shaikh Rashid said work is on to develop Al Nakheel area as it is considered an important heritage and tourist spot in the emirate. The area will be designed with heritage features at a cost of Dh50 million. Development works in Al Bustan and Lewera areas costing Dh80 million will start soon.
The municipality is undertaking projects for providing all services in Massfout and Muzairi districts, which fall on the outskirts of the emirate, and re-planning them to be developed as tourist areas. A large commercial centre is being planned in Al Manana district, which will include a vegetable and fruits market as well as meat and fish markets.
Work on the sewage treatment plant in Al Helaiwa area with a capacity to handle 5 million gallons daily will be completed by February next year. It would help farmers and residents irrigate their farms and trees easily.
Shaikh Rashid also announced that the municipality would distribute 200 houses to UAE nationals by the end of this year. The houses would be ready to be occupied by early next year.
“The achieving of these projects will not only improve the quality of life of all residents, but it will also make Ajman a more attractive destination for investors and a more desirable place to live and raise a family,” he said.
The municipality is making all efforts to solve the shortage of power. “Work is in progress on the electricity plant in Al Zawra.” Generators are now being allowed in buildings based on environmental conditions.
Asked about the public complaints regarding excavations along streets causing inconvenience to residents, he clarified that they are being done by individuals who are connecting their buildings with the sewage network, which is considered one of the important projects in the emirate.
Shaikh Rashid also reviewed the achievements of this year, stressing that the municipality is in the process of development and dissemination of a culture of sustainable development. “The patrons aim to make the Department of Ajman Municipality and Planning one of the successful departments in the country ensuring the best environment to attract investors and enhance national economy by providing best services to the clients and residents, ” he said