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Development and infrastructure projects worth Dh7 billion will be implemented in the Eastern Region over the next five years, it was announced on Monday.

The projects were approved by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, as he visited Fujairah and inspected various projects on Monday.

He approved housing projects worth Dh5 billion benefiting 42,000 Emiratis and Dh1.5 billion for infrastructure projects to be implemented by the Ministry of Infrastructure Development.

“Development must be comprehensive and balanced across all emirates. Housing is one of the rights of Emiratis and is given top priority by the Cabinet,” the Vice-President said.

He emphasised that postponement or putting off housing projects will not be accepted, and Cabinet members and officials who realise achievements and launch projects to serve the UAE society are highly appreciated and recognised.

As part of his tour, Shaikh Mohamad reviewed 12 new housing compounds that will be built across the country. He approved the strategic plan of the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and the Shaikh Zayed Housing Programme’s plan to provide housing units and homes to 42,000 Emiratis over the next five years.

Shaikh Mohammad also approved 17 infrastructure projects worth Dh1.5 billion, including the construction of new roads, schools, health-care centres and government buildings.

He visited the sports complex in Fujairah and ordered the setting up of a similar complex in Ras Al Khaimah, and inspected a number of new road projects executed by the ministry.

Shaikh Mohammad then visited Safad Dam, accompanied by Dr Thani Ahmad Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, who briefed him on the water reserves of dams and the environmental impact of reservoirs on groundwater.

A project to extend Emirates Road to the Ras Al Khaimah Ring Road and a new road linking Khatm Al Melaha and Fujairah will be implemented as part of the projects approved by Shaikh Mohammad.

Shaikh Mohammad visited Abdul Rahman Al Nasser Model School in Kalba where he was accompanied by Hussain Ebrahim Al Hammadi, Minister of Education, and Jameela Salem Al Muhairi, Minister of State for Public Education. Shaikh Mohammad discussed with them their future programmes. During his inspection tour, Shaikh Mohammad said: “The place of the future government is under the sun and in close contact and touch with people. Our government must be at work sites and among people.”

“Achievers in the government will be highly appreciated, and our communication is open with all work teams. The criteria for performance assessment will be based on achievements on the ground and not through written reports,” he added.

Shaikh Mohammad underlined the importance of nurturing the skill of reading as a basic skill in younger generations as he attended a reading session with a group of pupils.

He ordered the construction of a number of health-care centres in Ras Al Khaimah and Kalba.

Shaikh Mohammad was accompanied by Dr Abdullah Mohammad Bel Haif Al Nuaimi, Minister of Infrastructure Development; Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi; Minister of Cabinet Affairs and the Future; Dr Thani Ahmad Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment; Hussain Ebrahim Al Hammadi, Minister of Education; and Jameela Salem Al Muhairi, Minister of State for Public Education.