Cooperation key to tackling desertification
I refer to the news article UAE pledges to fight against desertification (June 17). The UAE has the disadvantage of having a dry and hot climate but the green parks, flowers and trees make us forget that we are in a desert region.
The Government has been spending billions of dirhams to give the country a green look and decrease the desert area. The demand is increasing for water to maintain the greenery, as well as for household purposes. Our water must be desalinated.
Fighting against the desert is a huge task and I think the UAE has achieved a lot. But the Government cannot do anything without the support of citizens and residents. People should cooperate, especially by using water judiciously, buying locally-produced fruits and vegetable, and maintaining the greenery. Then fighting the desert will not be such a big challenge.
Petrina P, Abu Dhabi
More car parks needed in capital
It seems we might get some respite from parking woes in Abu Dhabi (First two-storey car park by Mawaqif unveiled in Abu Dhabi, June 19).
Parking has been a major problem for all of us. Many people are afraid to go out on weekends for fear of not getting a parking spot when they return home.
I often find it difficult to find parking spaces while visiting clinics, banks and restaurants, not to mention around my residence. I often go around and around a parking area, before I fail to get a space.
Sometimes I have to park at the bend of the footpath or in the middle of the street, as is the practice in many areas in Abu Dhabi. For that I often incur fines: tickets are stuck on the windscreen. On a few occasions, my car had been towed away. Mawaqif is doing a good job, but the city needs more parking spaces.
Sahil Ahmed, Abu Dhabi
Why is UAE haven for job seekers?
I am responding to the article Almost 90 per cent of regional job seekers want to work in the UAE (June 22). The follow-up question the other Gulf countries should be asking themselves is "why?' When their nationals prefer to work somewhere else, they need some introspection.
Name withheld by request
Zionist policies clearly revealed
Jonathan Cook, as ever, offers insightful analysis (Amusement park case shows Israel's growing racism, June 20), which reveals much of what lies behind sometimes contradictory stances on the part of the clique that controls Palestine. Thank you, Jonathan and The National, for providing this kind of reasoned analysis.
Name withheld by request
We can make the world better
Arif Mirza, a highly successful Canadian-Pakistani entrepreneur who spent 33 days living as a migrant worker in Dubai to experience at first hand what it felt like to be in their position, has inspired me and I hope to do what he has done (Millionaire's life on the street, June 21).
If each one of us once a year does what he did, we will realise that we are the same in this world and we can make the world a better place to live. Thank you for sharing with us.
Susan Khalil, Dubai
Taxi ranks must be welcomed
Congratulations, and thanks, to the Department of Transport of Abu Dhabi for coming up with taxi ranks (Introduction of taxi ranks in Abu Dhabi will reduce waiting time, June 21). I hope this is the first step towards an orderly traffic situation for the city's commuters.
It's a great start, and much more should follow.
Abu Dhabi has efficient administrators who put things on the right track.
I am sure the emirate will lead the way to a greater commuter comfort during the summer.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
Taxi drivers should follow the rules
The cliché "new brooms sweep clean" is applicable to the Abu Dhabi taxi industry.
When the current system started about eight years ago, it promised to be far better than the white and gold taxis on several counts, including the conduct of the drivers.
It kept its promise and provided excellent service for some time.
But of late, I believe there has been a noticeable decline in service with regard to the behaviour and attitude of some drivers, who show scant respect for traffic laws.
I have also noticed rude behaviour between drivers.
Abu Dhabi is planning to be a model city and it has, to a great extent, made progress in that regard.
However, poor behaviour by the drivers in public transport does not bode well for the city. The taxi companies should take action against errant cabbies.
SQ Hasan, Abu Dhab
