NEWS FROM THE UAE
Excerpts from UAE Dailies
Areas in Sharjah reel under water shortage
SHARJAH — MAY 21: Despite assurances by the Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (SEWA) that there won't be water shortage this summer, the problem still persists, Khaleej Times has learnt.
Residents of some affected buildings in areas like Abu Shagara, Rolla and Al Majaz, areas most affected by water shortage, have demanded an end to their miseries caused by the acute water shortage over the past four days.
However, a SEWA official told Khaleej Times that some areas will face disruption in supply of water during the next two days because maintenance works were being carried out in the desalination plant.
The water supply will be from 5.30am to 10.30am and from 5.30pm to 10.30pm over the next couple of days, he pointed out.
Meanwhile, Mohammed Khalifa bin Tarish, director-general of SEWA Water Directorate has assured the residents there won't be water scarcity this summer as new projects worth Dh40mn will ensure improved networks and better water supply in all parts of Sharjah. He said the projects include the laying of a new four- kilometre distribution line from the main water desalination plant in Alliah area to feed areas between Al Jubail and Al Fisht.
“This line has been completed in two phases and will be operational during the next week,” he added.
The official said SEWA has also installed equipment to monitor water pressure in the network.
“This equipment will notify the control room about water shortage in any area and the department personnel will tackle the problem immediately,” he added.
Bin Tarish also pointed out that Dh40mn Halwan Dam with a capacity of15 million gallons would supply water to Sharjah during peak hours.
“This is in addition to the old dam which has a capacity of storing 5mn gallons per day,” he explained.
He added that the Sharjah industrial areas would not be affected by water shortage any more as the Dh5mn pipeline, starting from Al Badie plant, is under construction and will be fully operational in the first week of July.
KHALEEJ TIMES
Motorists hunt for alternative routes
DUBAI — MAY 21:The first working day of the week yesterday saw motorists heading for all possible alternative routes so as to avoid the diversion on Al Ittihad Road set up since Friday to facilitate expansion work.
Motorists going to Sharjah said that they were forced to brave the incessant traffic jam caused by the closure of a stretch of a road between Dubai Police Headquarter Interchange and Al Mulla Plaza that connects Dubai with Sharjah yesterday.
"I learnt about the closure in the newspapers earlier this month, so I do not use any route that may link to Ittihad Road directly because I know it will be jam-packed. Instead, I take Sharjah Ring Road and then join Ittihad Road," says Lamia F, a marketing executive, who resides in Sharjah.
Shawn Malcolm, a driver for a company said that since Friday, all alternative routes seemed to be more crowded than usual. "People are avoiding the diversion and heading for all possible alternatives and in the process, creating chaos on other internal roads as well," he added.
"Because I wanted to avoid the diversion, I took the road across the Deira City Centre and ended up on Al Quds Roads to take the underpass straight to Al Ittihad Road," said Mohammed Shoaib adding, "but I realised that a majority of motorists was doing the same causing traffic jam on that road as well."
The closure of the road is part of the Dh800 million expansion project by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) that is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2008.
Another driver heading from Deira towards Sharjah said, "The journey on that stretch took me more than hour. Earlier, it took only 10 minutes to reach home in Al Nahda."
Several other drivers added that they expected further traffic jams in June when traffic from Sharjah towards Dubai would be diverted.
"Already traffic from Sharjah towards Dubai is unbearable. I cannot imagine what the situation will be like if RTA creates diversions. All load is going to be diverted to the industrial areas creating further chaos," said Saleh Ahmed.
KHALEEJ TIMES
UK to introduce biometric visa
DUBAI — MAY 21: All UAE residents planning to travel to the United Kingdom after September this year would need to go for fingerprint scanning using biometrics technology.
Talking to the Press, British Consul-General in Dubai John Hawkins said, "We want the visa process to be quick, efficient and smooth and that is why biometric visas will be issued. All fingers will be scanned and photographs of the applicants will be taken."
Hawkins added that this technology has been adopted by many countries in order to reduce the risk of identities being misused and to prevent forgery.
"The fingerprinting of visa applicants by modern electronic technology will be inkless," Hawkins pointed out. This will be done in Visa Application Centres (VAC) in Dubai and Abu Dhabi and these centres will accept and check application forms and also collect fees. However, no additional charge will be levied for the use of this new technology.
KHALEEJ TIMES
Firm allays apprehension over Mars products in UAE
DUBAI — MAY 21: In the wake of the hue and cry raised in the United Kingdom after Mars, manufacturer of confectionery brands, announced that it would be replacing the whey used in some of its products from a vegetarian source with traces of Rennet, an animal enzyme, Masterfoods Middle East has clarified that none of the brands available in UK are exported to the UAE.
The Mars chocolate bars or any other confectionary product sold in the UAE market is manufactured locally by Masterfoods Middle East, a branch company of Mastersfoods headquartered in the United States. The UAE company is known for manufacturing popular brands of chocolates like Galaxy, Snickers etc and other food items as well as pet food.
Christine Greaves, manager, Corporate Affairs of Masterfoods Middle East said, "Masterfoods in the UAE does not source its products from the UK. We have different companies. Products like Mars, Galaxy and some other brands are manufactured locally. And other food items come in from other countries but not the United Kingdom. So there is no problem in the Middle East and nothing is going to be affected," she said.
KHALEEJ TIMES
Salik to begin in July
DUBAI — MAY 21: “Salik will begin as planned in July with initial tolling points at Al Garhoud Bridge and Shaikh Zayed Road but alternative routes will open prior to its implementation," said a senior Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) official yesterday.
Engineer Maitha bin Adai, CEO of RTA’s Roads and Traffic Agency, said that alongside the toll, alternative crossings and roads, including Dubai-Al Aweer Crossing and the Floating Bridge that connects Al Ittehad Road with Al Riyadh Street in Bur Dubai, will be open and is expected to reduce traffic on Maktoum Bridge.
“All lanes on Business Bay Bridge (a total of 13) and extension of Emirates Road exits from three to six exits will be opened alongside Salik," she said.
"The Floating Bridge alone is one of the major alternative roads planned to reduce the strain on Dubai’s road network,” Eng Maitha said, adding that the bridge has the capacity to hold 6,000 cars during peak hours and will reduce traffic on Maktoum Bridge by 37 per cent. The RTA, she added, will increase exits on Dubai Creek to 38 this year to be further increased to 45 in 2008.
Eng Bin Adai added that the Salik public awareness campaign would explain how to register for the service and make use of the new initiative and other information such as the selling points.
According to recent RTA studies, Salik service will help reduce traffic by 25 per cent on the tolled roads. Motorists using the system do not have to pay the toll manually as the fee will be deducted electronically from windshield-mounted tags.
KHALEEJ TIMES
New system at pvt schools from next academic year
DUBAI — MAY 21: In an unprecedented move, the Ministry of Education (MoE) is set to adopt a new system to put the private education sector in order from the next academic year.
As part of the project, the Guidance Department (MoE) will assign 50 per cent of its 860 instructors to supervise and follow up with private schools issues related to curriculum, teaching methods, examinations as well as teaching and administrative staff.
The move aims at upgrading services and performance of private schools.
Mohammed Isa Al Kahmiri, director of the department , revealed that the new initiative would entail restructuring the role of instructors in education zones.
"Under the new arrangement, the department will empower instructors all over the country to partly supervise government schools which means that they will dedicate most of their time to keeping a check on private schools' performance," he added.
According to him, currently, government school principals possess many executive and supervisory powers and the role of instructors is very limited.
"'If the project is adopted in its final form, 50 per cent of the instructors' will be at hand to take care of private schools," he concluded.
KHALEEJ TIMES
Decision on villa schools soon
ABU DHABI — MAY 21: Education Minister Dr Hanif Hassan has promised that the issue of private schools in villas will be resolved soon.
Allaying the fears of parents, Dr Hassan said a decision would soon be taken keeping in mind the future of at least 8,000 students from 20 schools.
An informed source, who declined to be named, said, "Plans are afoot to integrate the five schools in villas and for allocation of suitable land to them for a building."
KHALEEJ TIMES
Dh3b highway to link Mafraq and Guweifat
ABU DHABI — MAY 21: The Department for Municipalities and Agriculture in Abu Dhabi signed a Dh3 billion contract with Mott MacDonald Group for building an international highway from Mafraq to Guweifat.
This was part of the infrastructure development plan for the Western Region of Abu Dhabi.
The contract aimed at developing a modern infrastructure to facilitate the traffic movement on the highway. This will link the UAE with other neighbouring Gulf countries too.
Juma Al Junaibi, Under-Secretary for the Department, who signed the agreement with Mott MacDonald's executive manager, said the mega project was in line with directives of the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and General Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
Paul W. Looker, manager T&D director, said, "This is the first time we have signed a contract with the Abu Dhabi Municipality, however, we will lay maximum focus on the safety of the project and precisely build a strong transportation system in the capital." The group, Mott MacDonald has been carrying out numerous projects in the UAE for past 30 years.
"We have also executed several projects of the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) and successfully completed it in the scheduled timeframe," Looker added.
''As one of the key projects of transportations in the UAE, the Mafraq-Guweifat highway will cover 350 kilometres. Work on the four-lane highway will begin early next year and will take three to four years to complete the project," Al Junaibi added.
The project will also include a number of rest houses throughout the highway for the convenience of passengers and road users as well.
As a main transit point for local and international trucks, the highway is expected to give a big boost to development in the region, Al Junaibi further added.
KHALEEJ TIMES
One more feather in Indian's cap
DUBAI — MAY 21: During the recently-conducted Emirates Post Business Excellence Awards 2007, Indian was voted as the NRIs' Most Favourite Airline in the region.
There were 11 prominent categories for Emirates Post Business Excellence Awards 2007.
The polling, done through emails and SMS' on Etisalat, commenced on April 1, allowed people to vote for their most preferred product. Voting was also conducted by Indish Creation and Asia Vision Dubai, with the support of Radio Asia 1557AM and 94.5 FM.
Regional Manager of Indian Airlines UAE Abhay Pathak received the award from the Director of Emirates Post. Among the other achievements by Indian this year are India’s 'Most Trusted Airline’ award conferred by the Pacific Area Travel Writers' Association (PATWA) at ITB, Berlin and the 'Most Friendly Domestic Airline’ award by South Asian Travel & Tourism Exchange (SATTE) and Samsung.
The airline has been taking advantage of a buoyant market by steadily expanding its network of international destinations. It started operations in UAE in 1992 with just two flights from Sharjah. It now has 85 flights a week from the UAE and 125 from the Gulf region.
The carrier is exploring new markets like South Africa, Australia, China and the United Kingdom and plans flying to Melbourne and Guanghzou this winter. In keeping with the changing times, besides adopting the globally prevalent system of e-ticketing on several sectors, the airline recently introduced the online self check-in facility.
KHALEEJ TIMES
One more feather in Indian's cap
DUBAI — MAY 21: During the recently-conducted Emirates Post Business Excellence Awards 2007, Indian was voted as the NRIs' Most Favourite Airline in the region.
There were 11 prominent categories for Emirates Post Business Excellence Awards 2007.
The polling, done through emails and SMS' on Etisalat, commenced on April 1, allowed people to vote for their most preferred product. Voting was also conducted by Indish Creation and Asia Vision Dubai, with the support of Radio Asia 1557AM and 94.5 FM.
Regional Manager of Indian Airlines UAE Abhay Pathak received the award from the Director of Emirates Post. Among the other achievements by Indian this year are India’s 'Most Trusted Airline’ award conferred by the Pacific Area Travel Writers' Association (PATWA) at ITB, Berlin and the 'Most Friendly Domestic Airline’ award by South Asian Travel & Tourism Exchange (SATTE) and Samsung.
The airline has been taking advantage of a buoyant market by steadily expanding its network of international destinations. It started operations in UAE in 1992 with just two flights from Sharjah. It now has 85 flights a week from the UAE and 125 from the Gulf region.
The carrier is exploring new markets like South Africa, Australia, China and the United Kingdom and plans flying to Melbourne and Guanghzou this winter. In keeping with the changing times, besides adopting the globally prevalent system of e-ticketing on several sectors, the airline recently introduced the online self check-in facility.
KHALEEJ TIMES
One more feather in Indian's cap
DUBAI — MAY 21: During the recently-conducted Emirates Post Business Excellence Awards 2007, Indian was voted as the NRIs' Most Favourite Airline in the region.
There were 11 prominent categories for Emirates Post Business Excellence Awards 2007.
The polling, done through emails and SMS' on Etisalat, commenced on April 1, allowed people to vote for their most preferred product. Voting was also conducted by Indish Creation and Asia Vision Dubai, with the support of Radio Asia 1557AM and 94.5 FM.
Regional Manager of Indian Airlines UAE Abhay Pathak received the award from the Director of Emirates Post. Among the other achievements by Indian this year are India’s 'Most Trusted Airline’ award conferred by the Pacific Area Travel Writers' Association (PATWA) at ITB, Berlin and the 'Most Friendly Domestic Airline’ award by South Asian Travel & Tourism Exchange (SATTE) and Samsung.
The airline has been taking advantage of a buoyant market by steadily expanding its network of international destinations. It started operations in UAE in 1992 with just two flights from Sharjah. It now has 85 flights a week from the UAE and 125 from the Gulf region.
The carrier is exploring new markets like South Africa, Australia, China and the United Kingdom and plans flying to Melbourne and Guanghzou this winter. In keeping with the changing times, besides adopting the globally prevalent system of e-ticketing on several sectors, the airline recently introduced the online self check-in facility.
SEVEN DAYS
Dubai - Swindler imprisoned
Dubai - MAY 21: A man who illegally transferred the ownership of some number plates belonging to members of the royal family was sentenced to three months in prison yesterday. The 23-year-old UAE national made dhs30,000 by transferring the ownership of several plates - including those registered to two dead members of the royal family - after gaining access to sensitive documents on the police database. Initially he chose four numbers at random that he liked, then picked one for his brother and re-registered other numbers in exchange for cash.
He was found out when one of his buyers tried to sell his car and police realised it was registered with a manipulated plate.
SEVEN DAYS