The third Dubai Council meeting saw His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, issue a set of directives that include an AED500 million allocation to enhance the quality of life for Dubai’s citizens. “We will allocate AED 500 million to enhance the quality of life for citizens in residential areas based on their own suggestions and ideas, not government plans,” said His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Infusing quality
The directive calls for the formation of 12 residential councils, which will serve as meeting points for the citizens to organise their community and social events. Committees comprising Emirati retired experts will be established and these committees will be tasked with raising citizens’ need with the Dubai Council and suggesting events and initiatives that will aid in improving the quality of life across Dubai’s neighbourhoods.

Housing Reprieve
Another set of directives come as a welcome relief to citizens with exemption from paying mortgage registration fees and exemption of new Emirati owners of houses that do not exceed AED 4 million from paying electricity connection fees in an effort to ease their financial burden and ensure family stability.

Launch of Platform
During the meeting, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid also announced the launch of a platform on www.Dubaicouncil.ae giving citizens the chance to participate in the improvement of their lives by sending ideas and suggestions on playgrounds, parks, and any other public facilities they might need in their neighbourhoods as part of the Design Your Life campaign.

Citizen Services Pillar
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said, “Government budgets are aimed to serve citizens who know their own needs best. We urge officials to listen to the needs of their people from the field. He added that Commissioner-General of the council’s citizen services pillar has been assigned to develop Dubai’s societal system to ensure the best quality of life for our citizens. Mattar Al Tayer, Commissioner General of the council’s “infrastructure, urban planning and wellbeing” pillar, will oversee the implementation of the campaign.