During a field visit to the Eastern Coast today, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum approved projects for the Ministry of Infrastructure Development, worth AED7 billion. The new projects include housing aid, residential complexes, roads, schools, healthcare centers and government buildings.

Sheikh Mohammed reviewed 12 new residential projects developed by the Ministry of Infrastructure Development on the national level. He approved the projects of the Ministry and Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme that provide 42,000 housing, worth AED 5 billion, over the next coming five years.

Sheikh Mohammed also visited a number of road projects and approved an additional AED1.5 billion for the ministry's projects.

Sheikh Mohammed also visited the youth sports complex in Fujairah and ordered setting up a similar sports complex in Ras Al Khaimah. Sheikh Mohammed also endorsed the Emirates Ring Road extension project to RAK.

He visited Abdul Rahman Nasser School in Kalba, a model school, where he exchanged views on plans and programmes of the ministry with Hussein bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi, Minister of Education and Jameela Salem Al Muhairi, Minister of State for Public Education.

While touring the Eastern Coast, he visited Safed Dam, where they reviewed with Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al-Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, the Dam capacity and its effect on ground water, the ministry's water management plan and dam projects.

Speaking on the occasion, Sheikh Mohammed said, "The government will closely follow-up on all sectors and infrastructure is at the top of its agenda to provide a decent living condition for citizens."

The Vice President said, "All the UAE regions are priority to the UAE President, and our development is balanced and comprehensive."

Sheikh Mohammed said, "Development must be achieved comprehensively and be balanced across all regions of the country. All regions represent a priority for President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan."

"Housing is an essential service, and is every citizen's right, and a priority for the government. We do not accept any delay or disruption in providing residential assistance to citizens," he added.

"Government project workers and innovators have our full appreciation. Our communication is open to all teams and our criteria for assessing performance will be on the field and on the ground, and not through office reports," he said.

Minister for Cabinet Affairs and Future Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Gargawi, and Director General of Dubai Protocol Department Khalifa Saeed Sulaiman accompanied Sheikh Mohammed during his tour.