Khorfakkan Municipality achieves notable successes in 2024

The Municipality's Operations and Municipal Inspection Department has successfully implemented a range of projects and conducted thorough inspection campaigns, resulting in significant improvements to its services. These initiatives aim to protect the marine environment and enhance the overall cleanliness and beauty of the beaches.

The Khorfakkan municipality has launched a significant initiative to enhance digital transformation, introducing a new system for managing impounded vehicles. Additionally, the municipality has been actively involved in various inspection campaigns targeting various other issues. They have also been focused on public education campaigns aimed at maintaining cleanliness and conserving green areas like Shees Park and Al Rafisah Dam, using brochures and other educational materials to spread awareness.

The municipality recently spearheaded an awareness campaign at the Pearl Sea, focusing on enforcing family-only seating areas. This initiative is part of broader inspection efforts that include coordinating transport vehicles, monitoring unauthorized shop exteriors, and addressing illegal extensions. Additionally, the municipality has enforced regulations on businesses operating past midnight. Collaborations with external departments have enhanced city cleanliness and response to natural disasters, like heavy rains. The municipality also played a pivotal role in organising community celebrations for Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha, boosting community morale and participation.

Statistics suggest that the municipality had strong first-half performance. There were 1,308 daily reports and 355 violations. The city awarded 10 commercial and 489 public parking licenses. Additionally, 101 businesses and 229 automobiles received warnings. The municipality got 74 bachelor housing complaints and 72 public parking complaints. Thirteen vehicles were seized and 19 freed. Regarding public aesthetics, the municipality handled 60 cases involving different issues. Additionally, 54 bachelor housing inspection requests were handled. These measures demonstrate the municipality's commitment to urban management and cleanliness.

The Food Control Department recently inspected community kitchens for Ramadan preparedness. They also checked Ramadan preparations at restaurants and shops. Another program ensured food shops and supermarkets had constant refrigerator power.

Butchers were targeted by the Veterinary Services Division's awareness campaign on the dangers of slaughtering animals outside slaughterhouses. They also conducted monthly spraying campaigns at farms to eliminate insects and raise awareness about diseases transmitted by squirrels.

The Health Care Division conducted inspections focusing on general cleanliness in shops and the sanitation of tools in beauty and barber salons. Additionally, they ensured that employees displayed hepatitis B vaccination cards and verified that all required vaccination doses were completed. These measures were part of efforts to maintain high health and safety standards across various sectors.

To simplify processes for citizens and staff, the city has also made various service improvements. This involves providing staff ID cards for fee-paying industries, installing public parking barcode systems, and giving many disability permits. 

In an effort to combat insects and mosquitoes, the Environmental Services Department has ramped up its campaigns in residential neighborhoods and public roads.

In a strategic move, the municipality has taken the initiative to organize events in the public gardens and residential areas of Khorfakkan. As part of their commitment to sustainability, the local government organized a special event where 50 children from Khorfakkan Kindergarten came together to plant Ghaf trees in the garden's outdoor area. This initiative aimed to raise awareness about the significance of this particular tree species. In a collaborative effort with Khalil bin Ahmed Secondary School for Boys, a total of 50 agricultural seedlings were recently planted. This initiative aims to foster and enhance agricultural skills among the students.

The municipality joined an initiative to beautify the outdoor playground of a kindergarten by planting a variety of seasonal flowers, in honor of National Environment Day. In a concerted effort, a thorough campaign was carried out to eliminate " Al-Ghawif" trees from various regions of Khorfakkan. Educational brochures were distributed to farm owners as part of this initiative.

Moreover, the Inspection and supervisory campaigns were conducted by the Technical Affairs Department on construction sites in Khorfakkan. 

The Technical Affairs Department recently organized a workshop for students from Abdullah bin Zubair School titled "With My Hands, I Build My Home" at the municipal building. A recent workshop provided students with valuable insights into the various responsibilities of engineers. In a bid to engage young minds during the summer break, the department curated a special event titled "Engineer of the Future 2024" as part of their children's workshop series. This exciting initiative was designed specifically for children aged 10-12. An innovative program was created to foster a love for engineering and promote imaginative problem-solving. An array of engineering specialties were showcased to the students, involving them in forward-thinking careers through a series of hands-on workshops. 

Over 11,600 trees have been planted in the mountains, while streets and squares have been beautified with nearly 456,000 seasonal flowers, annual plants, and perennial shrubs.

Commenting on this, in the first half of 2024, Engineer Fawzia Rashid Al Qadi, Director of Khorfakkan Municipality, expressed pride in the achievements made under her leadership, reflecting the municipality's ongoing commitment to enhancing the quality of life in Khorfakkan. She added that the city has focused on improving marine mooring services and providing better facilities for boat owners as part of a strategy to boost infrastructure and ensure a clean and sustainable marine environment. She highlighted the development of a digital system for managing impounded vehicles, designed to simplify processes and offer fast, transparent services to citizens.

Additionally, Al Qadi emphasised the rigorous health and environmental standards enforcement through inspection campaigns on food shops and institutions, aiming to ensure high-quality food products and public safety. The municipality's cooperation with educational institutions on tree planting initiatives and engineering workshops for children is part of a broader vision to foster a generation that is environmentally conscious and interested in engineering.