Sharjah reforms control of budgets

The Ruler of Sharjah has decreed that the nine municipalities in the emirate should undertake their developmental projects independently.

SHARJAH // Each municipality in Sharjah will have its own budget starting from next year.

The decision was made by Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, the Ruler of Sharjah, to enable the nine different municipalities in the emirate to undertake vital development projects independently.

It was also announced that up to Dh500 million was earmarked for sports facilities in Sharjah.

Nasser Khamis Al Naqbi, the chairman of Municipal Affairs and Agriculture in the emirate, announced the Ruler’s decision on Sunday at a Ramadan majlis.

The majlis was held in Al Dhaidat at the home of Mohammed Al Mahyan, a member of the Sharjah Consultative Council.

“This new directive to have each municipality handling its own budget will also promote creativity and accountability,” said Mr Al Naqbi.

Among the speakers at the majlis was Ahmad Nasser Al Fardan, the secretary general of Sharjah Sports, who announced Dr Sheikh Sultan had allocated Dh400 to Dh500 million to build several new sports facilities in the emirate.

The budget would cover building sports facilities and swimming pools at Maliha, Madam and Batayeh sports clubs, a shooting club in Al Dhaid sports and a cultural club and a swimming pool in Al Hamriya club, said Mr Al Fardan.

Sharjah Sports oversees activities at the 17 sporting clubs registered in the emirate. The director of Sharjah Education Zone, Dr Salem Al Tunaiji, announced at the majlis that 88 school nurses, 127 school clinic staff, 27 school dining staff and 66 nursery staff will be appointed in the forthcoming academic year.

Salem bin Hammad Al Shamsi, the first speaker of the Sharjah Consultative Council, said the council had in recent years achieved tremendous progress and was a voice of citizens.