FNC members embark on first community tour in bid to ‘enrich parliamentary work’

FUJAIRAH // Federal National Council members made the first stop in their seven-emirate tour in Fujairah on Tuesday.

The council launched their tour to encourage outer communities to play a more active role in the consultative body’s operations.

Seventeen members from around the country, led by Speaker Dr Amal Al Qubaisi, toured seven community centres in the city and Dibba, starting with the Fujairah Rehabilitation Centre for the Disabled.

“The students were so happy to meet with the FNC members as they received presents and took photos with them,” said Moza Al Wali, a specialist at the centre.

“One of the students asked for the members’ help to do Umra with her family.

“This visit means a lot to us and to the students and it was a great privilege to meet them.”

At the end of the tour, the members took part in the centre’s Autism Day celebrations, releasing balloons with the children.

Dr Al Qubaisi said that another aim of the visits was to ensure that more voices were heard.

“Field visits will enrich our parliamentary work, recommendations and suggestions, as we will visit various locations that include medical, social, educational and sports facilities and we intend to cover all the emirates,” she said.

“These visits will reflect on our studies and discussions at the council and will help us provide the best service to the public.”

The FNC delegation also visited the headquarters of the Fujairah Police.

Other stops included Dibba Hospital, Dibba Agricultural Experiment Station, Wadi Shawka dam and the Zayed Sports Complex.

Azza bin Suleiman, a member for Dubai, said she was proud to see Emirati women excelling.

“Knowing that 34 Emirati nurses are working at Dibba Hospital made me feel so proud,” said Ms bin Suleiman, a member of the FNC’s social affairs committee.

Ms bin Suleiman said the visits would allow for better communication with citizens.

“Each one of us is a member of a different committee and that helped us in viewing things from different angles,” she said. “Fujairah is still developing in various ways.”

The initiative is part of the FNC Parliamentary Strategic Plan for 2016 to 2021.

It will enable the council to discuss ways to provide the best services to citizens, in line with the UAE Vision 2021, and includes visits to various places.

rhaza@thenational.ae