Dubai Council earmarks Dh500 million to improve quality of life.
Published: Tue 4 Feb 2020, 4:00 PM
Updated: Wed 5 Feb 2020, 3:07 PM
A Dh500-million fund approved on Tuesday will see improvements in Dubai neighbourhoods based on what citizens want and not just what the government is planning. The improvements will be the result of citizens' ideas and suggestions submitted via an online platform, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, said as he chaired the third meeting of the Dubai Council.
The 'Design Your Life' campaign will see the authorities concerned ask for the public's views on what facilities and amenities they feel they require. Taking to Twitter, Sheikh Mohammed said a dozen new council buildings would be built as community hubs for public use. He appointed Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), to lead the process. "We have instructed today in the Dubai Council to build 12 integrated councils across Dubai neighbourhoods to serve as citizens' meeting points during gatherings, functions and social events," Sheikh Mohammed said.
Neighbourhood councils made of experienced members of the community will be formed to "boost everyday life".
Housing policy shake-up
Additionally, Sheikh Mohammed decided to exempt 422 citizens who have non-performing housing loans from their debts to the housing programme. He also ordered the exemption of all citizens from mortgage fees related to housing loans. "We also directed that the youth be exempted from the electricity delivery fees for their new residential homes for those whose construction costs do not exceed Dh4 million," he tweeted.
Housing loans worth Dh444m waived off
A total of 429 retired citizens have been exempted from repaying housing loans worth Dh444 million in Abu Dhabi. According to the Abu Dhabi Media Office, this came under the directives of the President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and order of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
The housing loan exemptions - offered to a total of 640 UAE nationals since September 2019 totalling Dh652 million - aim to achieve family stability and ensure the best living standards for citizens, especially low-income retirees.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com
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