Abu Dhabi residents complain of derelict buildings in Al Wathba and Al Nahda

In addition to the unsightly nature of abandoned homes, some residents are dissatisfied at the lack of phone signal, petrol stations and ATMs.

ABU DHABI // Residents of the rural communities of Al Wathba and Al Nahda who complain of deserted buildings and no public amenities are to have at least some of their gripes addressed.
As well as unsightly abandoned homes, some residents are fed up at the lack of a phone signal, and at having no petrol stations or ATMs in the areas, which are on the road to Al Ain.
"Due to these old and deserted homes, different kind of insects home there then they creep into our homes," said Emirati Abu Mohammed, who has lived in Al Nahda for 33 years and works in the Armed Forces.
"In the evening, children play outside and they get close to such houses so it could invite a bigger problem; it needs solved before anything happens."
Mr Mohammed added there was no bakery or pharmacy and it takes an hour to drive to Baniyas to buy bread or medication.
Abu Dhabi Municipality announced on Wednesday that it had demolished 78 abandoned buildings across the city as part of an ongoing campaign to rid neighbourhoods of old and abandoned housing.
The municipality's director of external centres, Ahmed Fadil Al Mazrooie, said: "The buildings demolished in Abu Dhabi city were 10 commercial buildings, 33 residential villas, eight Government buildings and 27 Portakabins, all of which had been abandoned for lengthy periods.
"The municipality will move forward with the project of demolishing and removing abandoned buildings."
No timescale was given for individual areas.
In March, the municipality announced that it was launching a Dh3 billion scheme to build community centres in neighbourhoods across the capital.
Both Al Wathba and Al Nahda will benefit from a neighbourhood centre, which will contain convenience shops, leisure facilities and government services.
One problem that concerns residents in both areas is bachelors.
Abu Dhabi Police worker and Al Wathba resident Eid Al Minhali said the main problem in his area are bachelors and the labourers who visit the place from the nearby worker's accommodations. He said sometimes items are stolen and there are scuffles.
Another Al Wathba resident, Hamdan Mohammed, said: "These bachelors roam in the area in the evening and our children play outside, so we feel uncomfortable.
"I do understand the country is the safest place but, still, we fell hesitant and keep a close watch on them."
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