ABU DHABI // The Abu Dhabi Government is putting the final touches on its contracts with public departments.
The departments are expected to sign the yearly agreements, which set out goals for each one, within two months. The Government said last year the contracts were part of its commitment to completely restructure public services and ensure its initiatives were properly implemented.
"Signing a contract is a big step. When someone signs a contract they have to deliver," said Hamed al Hashemi, the Executive Council's manager of performance monitoring and evaluation. "This is going to be a commitment from the chairman or manager of each entity that is it going to deliver."
The process, begun three years ago, includes introducing new policies and procedures used by governments in countries such as Australia, Britain and Canada.
Mr al Hashemi said one of the council's top priorities was for government departments to develop a common language that would improve their co-operation and make it easier to enforce concepts of good governance such as transparency.
"We want the entities connecting, working together, not only in the planning aspect but also in the executing," said Mr al Hashemi.
"As we progress, we see improvement ... there is a common language, there is a clarity about what has to be done. Entities are being clear in terms of their programmes and what they will be doing against their policy agenda.
"Entities might start one initiative by themselves but they need help from others. That means if they need help [to implement] programmes then they can capture and build on the expertise of the other entity."
The initial contracts will be signed between the council and whole departments. Next year, however, they will be signed by individual divisions within each department "so each employee will be linking their performance appraisal to the contract".
Mr al Hashemi insisted the agreements were not about punishing civil servants who failed to meet their goals.
He said experts from the council would work with civil servants to help them improve. "It's about building the culture of performance-driven organisation," he said.
mhabboush@thenational.ae
Company%20Profile
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The%20specs
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
The five pillars of Islam
Tank warfare
Lt Gen Erik Petersen, deputy chief of programs, US Army, has argued it took a “three decade holiday” on modernising tanks.
“There clearly remains a significant armoured heavy ground manoeuvre threat in this world and maintaining a world class armoured force is absolutely vital,” the general said in London last week.
“We are developing next generation capabilities to compete with and deter adversaries to prevent opportunism or miscalculation, and, if necessary, defeat any foe decisively.”
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Jeff Buckley: From Hallelujah To The Last Goodbye
By Dave Lory with Jim Irvin
The five stages of early child’s play
From Dubai-based clinical psychologist Daniella Salazar:
1. Solitary Play: This is where Infants and toddlers start to play on their own without seeming to notice the people around them. This is the beginning of play.
2. Onlooker play: This occurs where the toddler enjoys watching other people play. There doesn’t necessarily need to be any effort to begin play. They are learning how to imitate behaviours from others. This type of play may also appear in children who are more shy and introverted.
3. Parallel Play: This generally starts when children begin playing side-by-side without any interaction. Even though they aren’t physically interacting they are paying attention to each other. This is the beginning of the desire to be with other children.
4. Associative Play: At around age four or five, children become more interested in each other than in toys and begin to interact more. In this stage children start asking questions and talking about the different activities they are engaging in. They realise they have similar goals in play such as building a tower or playing with cars.
5. Social Play: In this stage children are starting to socialise more. They begin to share ideas and follow certain rules in a game. They slowly learn the definition of teamwork. They get to engage in basic social skills and interests begin to lead social interactions.
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
The specs: 2018 Opel Mokka X
Price, as tested: Dh84,000
Engine: 1.4L, four-cylinder turbo
Transmission: Six-speed auto
Power: 142hp at 4,900rpm
Torque: 200Nm at 1,850rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L / 100km