Sharjah Ruler inaugurates Consultative Council'

 H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, on Thursday inaugurated the Sharjah Consultative Council’s third ordinary session of the ninth legislative chapter at the council's headquarters.

In presence were H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, and Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of the Ruler of Sharjah and Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs.

Sheikh Sultan stressed that there are many government departments in Sharjah that work strenuously and constantly co-operate to achieve a decent life and living standard for the citizens of the emirate through a comprehensive and unified plan the result of the Sharjah population census.

The Ruler of Sharjah began his speech by thanking and praising H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Chairman of the Executive Council, as well as members of the council and heads the government departments for their sincere efforts and their harmonious co-operation and co-ordination with the executive council.

"The hard work and burdens held by these departments should be highlighted," he said.

Sheikh Sultan then reviewed the Emiri Court’s efforts in addressing the emergencies directly affecting the members of the community through the AED135-million budget allocated to it, explaining that it is increasable when necessary.

He also referred to the efforts of the Department of Social Services, which provides services to an important sector and categories of society with urgent needs to which a budget of AED325 million has been allocated. He also referred to the Housing Department, which has rendered services in 6,464 cases including houses, endowments, concessional loans, all of which represent a commitment to the government of Sharjah, valued at AED4.1 billion.

Sheikh Sultan also clarified the responsibilities and terms of reference of the committee in addressing the debts of Sharjah’s citizens. It is limited to five categories: orphans of an indebted deceased, insolvent persons as a result of an accident or a mistake committed, insolvent debtor for a lost trade or any other matter that precluded settlement of due debts, imprisoned for financial issues, and lawfully prosecuted persons in financial cases. He pointed out that a total of 1,011 debt cases have been settled at a value of AED488.8 million.

In his speech, he also thanked Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi and those working with her at the 27 family affairs and charity organisations for preserving homes and cultivating people, highlighting the great achievements of these institutions Underscoring the significance of the humanitarian Mabarrah Programme, which he directly supervises, the Ruler of Sharjah said it has familiarised him with many facts that necessitated the preparation of a statistical questionnaire that was published during the Sharjah population census. He thanked the Department of Statistics and Community Development and the Department of Social Services for their immense contribution in this regard.

He pointed out that his aim in preparing this questionnaire is to recognise his responsibilities towards homes and families and to identify their real living conditions in order to deal with their issues properly.

He also informed that the financial liabilities of 8,113 families of 56,736 members, with an income of below AED12,000, were settled at a cost of AED142.8 million.

"All that I do is a mere first aid until we get things done, and the effective treatment is coming, God willing, and with the co-operation of everyone with us here; I wish you success," he added.

Khawla Al Mulla, Chairperson of the Sharjah Consultative Council, SCC, delivered a speech in which she thanked Sheikh Sultan for honouring the council. She said his support is an incentive for the Council to carry out its responsibilities in the building of the emirate in accordance with his directives and wise vision.

She further highlighted the responsibilities and functions of the Council and praised the role of the Crown Prince of Sharjah in supporting the endeavours of the SCC. She went on to pledge the council’s commitment to continuing its work in public interest.

The Chairperson of the SCC then announced the Council’s strategy for 2017-2021.

Also present at the opening ceremony were Sheikh Khaled bin Abdullah bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Department of Seaports and Customs; Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Media Council; Sheikh Khaled bin Issam Al Qasimi; Head of the Sharjah Department of Civil Aviation; several sheikhs, heads of government departments, and representatives of GCC parliaments.

Source: Wam