Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has asserted that all UAE's strategies, plans and projects position citizen's welfare as a top priority.

Sheikh Mohammed affirmed that the government is utilising all possible capabilities and resources to satisfy needs of the community and achieve people's happiness.

Sheikh Mohammed stressed that providing quality and efficient services "is at the heart of the government's strategies and developmental projects for all service sectors, including education, health services and housing."

He stated that he closely follows up the customer satisfaction surveys on government's services, which constitute the first criteria in performance assessment. He directed that best international practices to be followed to further enhance services and achieve people's happiness and welfare.

Sheikh Mohammed's comments came during his visit to the premises of the Mohammed bin Rashid Housing Establishment (MRHE).

He was accompanied by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Director General of Dubai Protocol Department Khalifa Saeed Suleiman.

Chairman of the Board of MRHE Mohamed Ibrahim Al Shaibani, CEO of MRHE Sami Abdullah Gargash and MRHE Board's members and senior officials received Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid upon his arrival.

Starting his inspection tour, Sheikh Mohammed visited the reception area and customer service area where he was briefed on services offered to the establishment clients. He directed MRHE's officials to speed up work process and enhance work efficiency by utilising latest technologies.

Sheikh Mohammed chaired a meeting with MRHE's Board members and senior executives, where he was briefed on the establishment's services that include finished houses, maintenance grants, lands, housing loans services, constructed houses loans, maintenance loans and other services. The briefing also included summary for MRHE's projects and plans.

He was also briefed on the construction loans projects from 2007 to 2014. The total paid amounts for the construction loans registered Dh 2.9 billion while the maintenance and addition loans reached Dh 46.5 million. He also was briefed on MRHE's initiatives for maintenance of housing complexes over ten years of age and refurbishing houses damaged due to contingencies.

During the meeting, MRHE's officials illustrated research findings for the engineering projects from 2010 to 2014. During this period, the MRHE's concerned departments conducted 16 research studies aiming to establish the best eco-friendly houses designs and construction systems. The research findings included the green buildings systems, energy conservation and efficiency, construction systems and building materials systems.

They also discussed the details of MRHE's approved loans and grants from 2007 to 2014 totalling 14,855 approved applications covering various types of housing facilities and services. Further, the meeting discussed "Mathkhor", an initiative launched by the establishment to educate beneficiaries on saving before buying a house, and the ploughing back initiative that encourages beneficiaries to commence build their homes after obtaining required approvals from MRHE without additional costs until the issuance of the completion certificate.

Sheikh Mohammed was also briefed on MRHE's e-services and apps that help beneficiaries to follow up their application round the clock.

He reviewed maps and maquettes for the MRHE projects from 2007 to 2014. The 16 accomplished projects included 4,368 houses with total cost Dh 4.8 billion and undergoing projects with total value amounting Dh 3,615 million.

Sheikh Mohammed also acquainted himself with the MRHE's nursery, a privilege that enables MRHE's female employees to carry out their duties.

Concluding the visit, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum posed for group photos with MRHE's staff.
Source: WAM