Mohammad: Ministers told to be proactive

Shaikh Mohammad with Shaikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, during the final special Cabinet session in the garden of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s palace in Liwa.

Mohammad: Ministers told to be proactive
Gulf News Report Last updated: December 17, 2007, 00:03

Dubai: The federal government strategy, ushering a new era of efficiency and transparency, has been completed and is ready for implementation as of January next year, it was announced on Sunday.

"This historic national accomplishment ushers in a new dawn" of progress, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, was quoted as saying by WAM.

He was referring to the federal government strategy, which has been completed by the various government bodies in six months. It was ordered by Shaikh Mohammad in April.

"It is a great achievement and could not have been done without your efforts, your teamwork and your new ideas," he told members of the Cabinet, which held its third and final special session in the garden of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan's palace in Liwa, 220km west of Abu Dhabi.

Right to housing

Shaikh Mohammad told the ministers it was time for them to get out of their offices and become acquainted with the problems of citizens, offer "the best services" to them and eliminate red tape and bureaucracy.

"Our people expect more of us in education, health, housing and job opportunities, which should be available to every citizen across the country," he added, stressing the right of widows and divorcees to have suitable housing.

"At the end of this three-day historic meeting... I would like to also thank Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan [Minister of Presidential Affairs] on his efforts to lead the meeting of the ministerial council for services which has saved us a lot of time and effort," he said.

Eid Al Adha: 377 prisoners pardoned

His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has pardoned 377 Emirati and expatriate prisoners to mark Eid Al Adha.

The amnesty is to help those who have served part of their sentences, and enable them to share the occasion with their families.

- WAM