(DNE photo)
The Minister of Housing, Public Utilities and Urban Communities, Ibrahim Mahlab, held a meeting with vice presidents of the New Urban Communities Authority and their assistants, as well as the leaders of New Cities’ Authorities nationwide, to incentivise their performances in light of recent reforms.
“I want you to make decisions, with clean hands. The laws and regulations are clear, therefore, I do not want routine to stop you and never hesitate to make decisions. The state supports you and the state is not against investment and development, but it is against corruption,” the minister said during the meeting.
The minister, directing his comments to the heads of New Cities Authorities, said “speedy extension of public utility networks is your first mission and your main challenge. What is the benefit of having land or residential units without utilities? Therefore, working on all utility projects should be conducted on 24 hour shifts. You have to follow these guidelines yourselves.” The minister explained that this will fulfill key objectives, “first this will speed up the finalisation of these projects and secondly this will create of job opportunities.”
The minister went on to assert that each head of a new city must demonstrate, “a model of success – even if dealing with one street – each street should be refurbished at a very high level.” He added that being present at project sites is important to conveying these values to even the most “minor worker.” The minister also referred to the necessity of meeting the public; listening to their complaints and working to resolve them.
Mahlab indicated that there would be no leniency for any violations committed in these new cities. “Any violation has to be eradicated firmly and within the limits of the law, in order to prevent these cities from turning into slums.” The minister suggested that this can be done through “daily patrols,” around the city, in order to detect violations and address them as quickly as possible. Such action should be conducted in coordination with Construction and Urban Communities Police and the security authorities of the relevant governorate, according to the minister.
The minister asked the heads of the new cities to “think out of the box, away from traditional ideas and to maintain speedy services for residents.” Mahlab explained that “cities without services are cemeteries. We need new ideas to quickly deal with service problems, we will take decisions and enforce them”, offering the example of the establishment of “companies for transportation,” in some new cities, to resolve such problems.
The minister ordered the heads of new cities’ to appoint and depend on youth in positions of responsibility, emphasising the need to find well trained young people and placing them in positions of authority. Mahlab referred to the competition currently organised by the New Urban Communities Authority for new cities’ top assistants and highlighted the ministry’s readiness of the to provide a variety of training programs.
Mahlab concluded his speech by pointing out the importance of “residents feeling the unique character of these cities.” The minister pointed out that he issued decrees delegating wider competencies to the heads of new cities, to provide services speedily and efficiently. “The people have to feel the change in government through the improved performance of the heads of these cities,” the minister said.
Requesting the application of “reward and punishment policies” between various authorities’, the minister explained that “those working and those not working are never equal, and the authority’s head has to be a model of discipline”.
On their side, the vice presidents of the New Urban Communities Authority ordered the heads of new cities’ to develop the cities’ entrances, as they represent “the city’s title.” The officials also highlighted the need to; raise the efficiency of low cost buildings through coordination with the city’s board of trustees. They also pointed out the need to maintain sanitation services through the renovation of “outer architecture” with the cooperation of residents.
The vice presidents of the New Urban Communities Authority pointed out the importance of upgrading customer services centers in each city authority, continuity of archiving documents electronically, and more (there are currently five) electronic archives.
With regards to services, the minister outlined three pillars for solving the problem: first, a statement sent to the Minister of Transportation to delegate his responsibilities, to the New Urban Communities Authority, with regard to the operation of mass transportation; second, the delegation of a “New Cities’ Board of Trustees,” to contract public and private mass transportation companies; and third of all to study the establishment of independent water suppliers and sanitation companies within the Urban Communities Authority.
Participants agreed to hold weekly meetings with heads of real estate affairs and projects departments to resolve any problems faced by the cities. The licensing departments were warned to respond to license requests within the mandated time period, “as some people manipulate non-response within the determination period” to implicitly assume permissions.
