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Fujairah quarries under scanner

FUJAIRAH - All quarries, crushing stone plants and factories in Fujairah,

which fall under the jurisdiction of the Fujairah Natural Resources Corporation (FNRC) will be monitored by hi-tech surveillance cameras through a central control room run by the Director General of FNRC and the technical team of environment-related engineers.

Engineer Ali Qasim, Director of Fujairah Natural Resources Corporation said modern technology will enable his department to detect all environment violations through monitoring cameras fixed at work sites. The cameras will function round the clock.

“The first phase of the project has been completed with the installation of a number of surveillance cameras on the main roads leading to the quarry sites, some internal work sites and at crushing stone plants, of which are Thoban, Al Hail, Al Siji, Al Taween and Habhab,” he said.

Earlier, traditional movable cameras had shown several violations and accordingly, the corporation had ordered the closure of two quarries in Thoban. They were closed due to residential units near the two sites, and to avoid health problems due to pollution, he noted.

Citing figures in the corpration’s records, Qasim said more than six violations were reported last month, of which four concerned the environment. Elaborating, he said the offences happened because those working in the quarries failed to control the production units or the anti-dust equipment.

The offences, according to him, also include two administrative, which he called unauthorised utilisation. “FNRC cooperates and coordinates with the Ministry of Environment and Water regarding the violations, in support of the Federal government vision which calls for cooperation between local and federal government departments.

The number of quarries in the emirate stood at 70, of which 40 are operational, while the rest are not functioning due to the poor demand of products, he said.

The corporation, however is going ahead with the installation of advanced surveillance cameras and the work will be completed this year, he said. The corporation is also planning to recruit locals in administrative and technical jobs by creating vacancies to attract local graduates who have majored in subjects that meet the needs.

Over 70 per cent of employees in the corporation are locals he added. And, as many as 76 Emiratis work in the quarries while the rest of the UAE citizens work in other sections at the FNRC headquarters, he added.

news@khaleejtimes.com