Work begins on biggest labour accommodation in Abu Dhabi

23 October 2007

Abu Dhabi: Al Rayan Investments yesterday said it has started the construction of the biggest labour accommodation facility in Abu Dhabi, enough to host 32,000 workers, technicians and supervisors, worth Dh418 million.

The labour compound is to be set up in Al Mafraq area, 45 km from Abu Dhabi city centre.

Fardan Hassan Al Fardan, chairman of Al Rayan Investment Company, the developer of the project, said: "Building labour accommodation that meet internationally recognised benchmarks has been commissioned upon directives from General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Sup-reme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, to create a safe and healthy environment for all workers across the UAE as per the Policy Agenda 2007-2008 of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi as well as the Plan Abu Dhabi 2030 which was set out for the development of the city of Abu Dhabi up to 2030."

Contract

The contract for the project, valued at Dh418 million, has been awarded to Abu Dhabi Supplies and Commercial Services in association with Britain's Panceltica.

Following the signing of the contract, studies and designs were commissioned to start the construction phase of the project.

"The project will be constructed over nine months. It will cover an area of 202,000 square metres and consist of a total floor area of 250,000 square metres," Al Fardan said.

The project features six compounds surrounding the main building, which is designed to provide various services and amenities, from a modern hypermarket, shops, banks, medical and dental clinics to a travel agency, post office, a building for security services, mosque, food courts, playgrounds, laundry, parks and public spaces.

Construction of the project will proceed in two phases; the first phase is expected to be completed by February 2008 and the second by April 2008.