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Ajman plans to make Masfoot a tourist city

The Ajman Municipality has made a strategic plan until the year 2030 to develop Masfoot as a tourist city.

Mohammed bin Omair, director of planning department of the Ajman Municipality, said that the city, ideally located between the Oman borders and Dubai, has all the features of a tourist city in terms of nature, weather and environment.

The plan also includes the expansion of residential areas since the demand of residences in the area has increased tremendously. The plan to be executed by the beginning of 2013 include Masfoot hospital with 30 beds, banks, government offices, abattoir, vegetables and fruit market and industrial areas with several labour camps.

The industrial areas will include heavy and light industry. Hotels and tourist attractions have also been included in the plan to attract tourism.

“We are focusing on tourism as part of the development of Masfoot,” said bin Omair. “There will be a number of schools, and other education centres as well entertainment areas such as Al Warqa and Masfoot parks.

He pointed out that, currently, the number of residents is 6,000 of which 90 per cent belong to the Bedouin tribes and the rest are expatriates working in service areas.

A study on the recently opened five dams in the area has been made and referred to the Ministry of Environment. Five more dams are being planned to prevent floods during the rainy season and emphasis is laid on increasing the water sources and green areas of the city, and on landscaping. A variety of trees and flowering plants will be planted on either side of the main roads.

With regard to the road networks, the plan includes development of Ittihad road in addition to a number of internal and external roads based on international standards. All streets will be well-lit and the municipality will undertake the task of naming and numbering them.

The municipality will also ensure that 70 per cent of the land is held by UAE nationals in the area, and all types of municipal services will be rendered to the residents.

The municipality will also hold meetings with residents and explain the new development plans.

afkarali@khaleejtimes.com