Focus on power and water tariff
Disparity in utility charges, ship that sunk off northern coast and drought among top issues
Abu Dhabi The ministers of energy, f inance and environment and water will be questioned at tomorrow’s session of the Federal National Council (FNC).
Among the issues that will feature in the questioning will be the disparity in the charges for electricity and water in different emirates, a ship carrying hundreds of tonnes of diesel which sank around 10 nautical miles off the coast of Umm Al Quwain and the drought inflicting farms in eastern and central areas.
Insurance and banking
Que s t i o n s wi l l a l s o be posed to the ministers about a federal law on health i nsurance for citizens, the creation of a Sharia-based watchdog to oversee Islamic banking and a company to collate borrowers’ information.
In his question, Ahmad Mohammad Rahma Al Shamsi, a member appointed from Ajman, seeks explanations from Mohammad Bin Dha’en Al Hamili, Minister of Energy and Chairman of the Federal Electricity and Water Authority, about the disparity in the prices of electricity and water supplied in different emirates.
Another query will be posed concerning the setting up of a company to gather information and maintain credit records on those who have obtained loans.
The UAE’S first credit bureau was launched in 2006.
Mosabah Saeed Al Katbi, an elected representative from Sharjah, will quiz Dr Rashid Ahmad Bin Fahd, Minister of Environment and Water, about the drought inflicting Emirati farmers in the eastern and central areas.
Dr Bin Fahd will also have to answer another question on a cargo ship carrying hundreds of tonnes of diesel which sank off the coast of Umm Al Quwain in October.
The Ministry of Environment and Water told the House last month that it has been coordinating with specialists f rom federal and local authorities to recover the ship.
House asks for minister
The minister, however, failed to appear before the 40-member house to explain his ministry’s efforts regarding operations to recover the ship, and sent a letter instead, but the FNC said he must attend its next session to answer questions. The letter had stated the case of the vessel was now with the Public Prosecutor.
Hamad Ahmad Al Rahoumi, elected from Dubai, said: “Efforts should be made to correct or eliminate the root cause of ships sinking and oil spills rather than beating around the bush.”