20 1 2 ANNUAL REPORT
20 1 2 ANNUAL REPORT
Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan
Contents
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN OVERVIEW OF THE DEPARTMENT OF MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS CREATING A RESPONSIVE REGULATORY FRAMEWORK ADOPTING INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS TO ACHIEVE QUALITY SERVICES DEVELOPING HUMAN CAPITAL AND NATIONAL WORKFORCE BUILDING PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS
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FINANCIAL REPORTING RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS THE COMMUNITY RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS THE ENVIRONMENT LOOKING AHEAD
EMIRATE FACTS AT A GLANCE
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Dear Shareholders, Welcome to the Annual Performance Report for the Department of Municipal Affairs (DMA). Recent research suggests that not much is known about the work of the DMA, and it is hoped that this report will help to explain the role of the DMA and how it affects everyone who lives, works and enjoys life in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The DMA is required to produce an Annual Performance Report to bring residents and visitors up to date with the many exciting developments occurring in Abu Dhabi’s Municipal System. The municipal system is made up of the DMA, the Municipality of Abu Dhabi City (ADM), Al Ain Municipality (AAM) and the newly formed Western Region Municipality (WRM), also called Al Gharbia. The DMA is the department responsible for coordinating and overseeing municipal activities. This report presents a review of the Abu Dhabi Emirate’s Municipal System and records its progress in meeting the targets that were set out by the Government of Abu Dhabi. It marks a significant step in our move towards making the municipal system more transparent and accessible to residents and visitors to the emirate. This 2009 report looks at the role of the Department of Municipal Affairs and gives an overview of its organisation, vision and mission, and describes key awards, notable achievements, service delivery and financial performance. Some of the key highlights of the work performed by DMA during 2009, as well as projects scheduled for the coming years are summarised below. They represent significant accomplishments that will greatly advance the new municipal structure. In June 2009, the Abu Dhabi Emirate officially adopted new building codes that are based on the International Codes (I-Codes) published by the International Code Council in the United States of America. The new Abu Dhabi Codes provide a complete set of comprehensive, coordinated building safety and fire prevention codes that are being especially adapted to address the specific requirements of all sectors within the construction industry in Abu Dhabi.
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A Knowledge Management Program has been initiated to enhance the skills and job satisfaction of municipal staff, improve efficiency throughout the entire municipal system, share knowledge across the municipal system and consequently, to offer better services to residents across the emirate. This programme will help the DMA to develop a workplace culture that promotes knowledge sharing and knowledge management for all municipal employees. These skills will give us the tools to consistently deliver better services and to improve our performance. DMA entered into partnerships and collaborations with several external agencies and cross-border municipal entities in order to share best practices, enter into knowledge-sharing relationships and embark upon a range of other initiatives all designed to improve standards.
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The DMA and the Abu Dhabi Electronic Systems and Information Centre (ADSIC) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) agreement to work together on Geographic Information System (GIS) data sharing and exchange. GIS relates to the merging of mapping and database technologies. It is being used to enhance the quality of life for all residents across the emirate. Within the municipal system, GIS will help to deliver an information infrastructure that supports improved delivery of municipal services.
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A DMA policy is being finalised which promotes the use of LED lights and will minimise the heat generated from lighting as well as substantially reducing the amount of energy it requires.
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DMA is adopting a new district cooling system which will result in a government saving of almost Dh2 Billion over the next 25 years as it will reduce the total power demand at the primary substations by 40%.
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DMA is to launch the first phase of the unified roads, bridges and tunnels construction standards manual in mid-2010. This will ensure construction and performance consistency across Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
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DMA is developing far-reaching property laws and title registration that are extensive enough to deal with the complex developments now under construction across the emirate so that investors have the confidence to invest freely in Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
Summary | 1
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LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN
Dear Friends, May I welcome you to this, our first Annual Performance Report. It is my great pleasure to share with you the fruits of our labors in the Department of Municipal Affairs as we work with the municipal councils of Abu Dhabi City, Al Ain and the Western Region to improve the lives of everyone in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi through our new municipal structure. You may recall that the Department of Municipal Affairs was established in May 2007 to replace the Department of Municipalities and Agriculture. The DMA’s main purpose is to provide the regulatory framework and to set policies for all municipal activities, as well as to oversee public works undertaken by the Emirate’s three municipalities. The primary reason for the reform of the municipality management was the need to achieve management efficiencies in the emirate’s towns and cities and to improve the quality of services we deliver by engaging with you, the public, more effectively. Our vision is for: “An advanced municipal system that enables sustainable development and enhances the quality of living for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi”. A major step towards this vision is the new municipality that has been created to service the Western Region of the Emirate. The municipality was created to meet the growing demands of this developing region. Another important part of municipal reform is that almost all services provided by the new municipal structure will now be outsourced. As the government will retain responsibility for service delivery this is not the same as privatisation. What’s happening is that the government is now harnessing the skills of the experienced private sector to help our municipalities deliver the best possible services.
Our strategy is to achieve rapid change while keeping pace with the strong social and economic growth that Abu Dhabi is experiencing. Rather than climb a steep learning curve and run the risk of making mistakes as we implement services of which we have no prior experience, DMA will work with best-practice private companies to deliver world-class services to the residents and visitors in Abu Dhabi. We are sure you will appreciate the difference. We will back-up the improvements and efficiencies we make by creating a new framework of laws and by-laws to regulate the municipal service environment. We will also reallocate some services to departments and authorities that are better suited to their delivery. We greatly look forward to working in joint ventures with the private sector and have developed a procurement and contract management system that’s designed to successfully manage private-sector engagement. As always, at the heart of all our operations is a new focus on the retention of Nationals within the municipal system. A major example of the work being carried out in this area is the development of new property, title and land registration laws. These laws will be extensive enough to deal with the complex commercial and residential developments now under construction in Abu Dhabi and will regulate developers, property brokers, surveyors, evaluators and managers. There will be an emirate-wide integration of our land and property, all brought together in a massive database.
As you will see, this report provides an overview of the role of the DMA as well as describing the key activities and initiatives undertaken by the department. It also describes the related performance measures that we at the DMA will use to move ever closer to achieving our vision. It is with great pride that we present this, our 2009 Annual Performance Report. Rashed Mubarak Al Hajeri Chairman, Department of Municipal Affairs
Chairman’s note | 3
These initiatives demonstrate how the new municipal system will operate and benefit all who make their home here, as well as those who just come to visit. By partnering with the municipalities who have the day-today responsibilities for service delivery, the DMA is ensuring a better future for everyone in Abu Dhabi.
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OVERVIEW: DEP. OF MUNICIPALAFFAIRS
In recent years the Emirate of Abu Dhabi has experienced extraordinary development and prosperity, and has recorded extensive growth across all sectors. This is all thanks to the wisdom and far-sighted visionary leadership of His Highness Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi. In addition, the Emirate has set out a goal of sustainable growth which will be met through the development of infrastructure and services of the highest standard. In 2007, the Department of Municipal Affairs (DMA) was established. Its mission is to implement outstanding municipal services and oversee the development of modern infrastructure suitable for the growing emirate. The DMA’s objective is to improve the municipal services provided throughout the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and to enhance the lives of our residents. DMA also provides for a system of municipal government under which all the municipalities operate. It is creating a governance framework that is flexible and responsive to community needs and expectations, and takes into consideration the unique circumstances of each municipality. The Department of Municipal Affairs will oversee regular, cooperative and meaningful engagement on all policy, legislation, strategy and programme initiatives affecting the municipalities of Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and the Western Region.
• Develop and propose amendments to the laws, rules and regulations related to the municipalities within the Emirate of Abu Dhabi • Propose the establishment of new municipalities, including their geographical areas and boundaries for ultimate approval by the Executive Council • Ensure that, where applicable, policies of the municipalities and municipal councils comply with the general policies of the Abu Dhabi Government • Coordinate between the municipalities, municipal councils (when appointed) and other departments in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi to supervise the progress of the work and remove any obstacles • Support the municipalities in respect of developing the financial, administrative and personnel skills of the municipal council members and the employees of the municipalities • Represent the emirate at conferences and forums related to municipal affairs
• Receive the Annual Reports relating to the achievements of the municipalities and the municipal councils and forward these to the Executive Council together with the assessments of the chairman and members of the council.
Overview | 5
• Review the proposals for all strategic & budget plans and any other matters generated by the municipalities and municipal councils in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and pass these to the Executive Council for approval