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NCC urges steps to solve traffic problem in capital

ABU DHABI – Practical solutions are needed to solve the traffic congestion problem in Abu Dhabi, the National Consultative Council (NCC) said yesterday.

The council held its third session of the current chapter under the chairmanship of Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Masood.

The Committee of Civic and Public Affairs discussed the problem in its session in late December and decided to hold meetings with municipal officials and traffic police to elicit their views on the matter.

NCC member Ahmed bin Sultan Mattar Al Halami called for reduction in the fees of parking facilities specified by the municipality, stating that the high fees prevented people from using them.

NCC member Gaith bin Hamel bin Khadim said lack of coordination among officials had made the problem worse. "The success of major projects in Abu Dhabi to transform the emirate into a hub of business and finance would depend on how the traffic problems are solved," he said, and called for the setting up of a supreme council or committee to look after the traffic situation.

The NCC also discussed loans given to individuals by banks.

NCC member Ahmed Al Dhahiri said that banks continue to give loans without sufficient guarantees, thereby increasing the incidence of failure to pay back. "This is affecting social and economic stability," he said, while other members said that some people use loans to buy shares in the stock market.

Al Masood said banks should shoulder their responsibilities, and the responsibility lies with the bank that gives loans to people who cannot pay the instalments.

NCC member Sultan bin Ahmed Al Hamali spoke about the problem of delayed execution of court orders in civil and commercial cases. Other legal matters were also discussed during the session.