The quality of life in the Northern Emirates is of the "utmost importance", Sheikh Khalifa, the President of the UAE, said after ordering a full evaluation of the region's services and infrastructure.
The state news agency, WAM, reported that Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, visited the Northern Emirates last week to meet residents and hear their views on their living conditions.
Sheikh Mohammed was asked to "make the needs of the citizens the highest priority of the government, as well as to inspect the level of services provided to citizens by governmental departments".
As well as meeting officials, Sheikh Mohammed also met many nationals and "had friendly exchanges with them and learnt about their conditions, needs and requirements".
He passed on instructions from Sheikh Khalifa to the relevant government departments to "closely follow up the results of the field tour" and to develop relevant implementation programmes. Sheikh Mohammed briefed the President on his return to Abu Dhabi.
Abdullah Amir, a 23-year-old Emirati from Ajman, welcomed the visit.
"Everyone was happy," he said. "It came at a good time with the Prophet's holiday and long weekend - insha'allah it is a sign that things will get better."
Ali al Matroushi, a former FNC member from Ajman, said infrastructure was the area most in need of improvement.