ABU DHABI // The Abu Dhabi Executive Council has given the green light for contracts to be awarded for two new hospitals costing almost Dh700 million and a new airport terminal.
A statement released last night said the council had approved the "awarding of contracts" for the 50-bed Al Gayathi Hospital and the 36-bed Sila Hospital, both in the western region, but did not name the companies involved.
The awarding of the contract for the long-awaited Dh25bn Midfield terminal at Abu Dhabi Airport International Airport, which would accommodate up to 27 million passengers a year, was also approved.
At yesterday's meeting, chaired by Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, the council also gave the go-ahead to a number of other development projects in areas including food security, transport and housing.
Decisions were taken to help the emirate reduce its water consumption - one of the region's biggest challenges, according to delegates at the 10th Gulf Water Conference in Doha last week.
A project by the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority to import an additional 500,000 tonnes of animal fodder each year received the council's consent. The programme currently saves more than 325 billion litres of water a year, according to the state news agency Wam.
The Executive Council also gave the nod for investment in Mohammed bin Zayed City, costing a total of Dh257 million. The area, off Abu Dhabi island, would benefit from improved infrastructure including road lighting, storm drainage and sewer systems, telecommunications services and parking.
The development currently has 48 residential sectors and seven public sectors and houses 5,275 residential buildings.
The council affirmed its support for Abu Dhabi's nuclear ambitions, specifically for the two new nuclear plants to be built in the emirate.
The first, which is expected to be fully operational in 2017, will "satisfy power demands for the growth and prosperity through an environmentally friendly, cost-effective peaceful nuclaer programme with high safety and reliability", said the statement on Wam.
The main contract for these was awarded in 2009 by the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation to the Korea Electric Power Corportation.
