Sheikh Hamdan visits Dalma Island to assess building projects

The Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra is on a tour of Abu Dhabi's west

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Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed has made the latest stop on his tour of Abu Dhabi's western region.

The Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra visited Dalma Island on Thursday to assess the island's development plans and support the residents.

It was once one of the region's most important pearl diving sites and has stayed true to its maritime history. Dhow racing regularly takes place around its shores.

Dalma Island, United Arab Emirates. April 6 & 7, 2015///

Fishermen playing card games to pass time. The mena area on Dalma Island, United Arab Emirates. Mona Al Marzooqi/ The National 

Reporter: Vesela Todorova 
Section: National  *** Local Caption ***  150406-07-MM-DalmaIsland-077.JPG
Fishermen play card games on Dalma Island. Mona Al Marzooqi / The National 

Several thousand people call the island home and Sheikh Hamdan also inspected some of the housing plans.

The island lies about 50km off the coast and can be accessed by a ferry service from Jebel Dhanna.

Sheikh Hamdan's stop at Dalma follows his visit to Sila - a town close to the Saudi border - earlier in the week. 
During his visit, Sheikh Hamdan also viewed several new housing developments, roads and transport projects.

The Al Dhafra region is central to the development plans of Abu Dhabi and the wider UAE.

Adnoc is expanding the oil town of Ruwais by adding a new oil refinery and building more homes.

The first line of Etihad Rail also opened in Al Dhafra a few years ago, while the UAE's nuclear power plants are being built at Barakah.