Dubai, Feb 8th, 2012 (WAM) -- Dubai Municipality has achieved outstanding results by implementing a number of programmes and initiatives in rationalisation of expenditures in its balance sheet and achieved the surplus of 2.1 bn dhs in the budget of 2011.
Mohammed Abdul Karim Julfar, Assistant Director General of Dubai Municipality during a meeting with top officials in Corporate Support Services Sector, said that Municipality has applied nine programmes for the rationalization of expenses in operational activities, which could save 245 mn dhs and in projects saving 120 mn. It also applied four programmes in the field of income developments saving 328 mn. The overall benefits are totalling 693 mn, which reflected on the financial performance of the civic body. He praised achievements of the team of expenditure rationalization and revenue development and the cooperation of all sectors and organizational units implementing the directives of Eng. Hussein Nasser Lootah, Director General of Municipality in establishing the policy of rationalization of expenditure and income development. "The role of Finance Department and other sectors is very big in developing a rational budget studying the actual needs of organizational units, exploiting human and material resources in the implementation of programmes and projects without resorting to outsourcing. They could also expand partnerships with the private sector in the implementation of investment projects and sponsoring community events. In addition, it could reduce the operational cost of the stock and the revival of idle stock with a world record," he added. "In the procurement process, it studied the needs of organizational units, purchased bulk and supplied according to the demand thereby reducing the cost of purchasing and storage. The municipality maintained the public property such as buildings, equipment, vehicles, machinery, furniture and infrastructure, focusing on the corrective maintenance. In the field of electronic services, it converted 81 services into eservices saving 76 mn dhs a year," he continued. Saif Al Shamsi, Director of finance Department said that our zero visit initiative reflected positively on reducing expenses. In training, the civic body studied the actual needs of the training courses for employees. In the area of revenue, it updated the services, introduced new activities in line with the needs of dealers and established specific markets with funding from the private sector in addition to an efficient collection of revenues, fees, rents and follow-up of government funds considering the priorities. Al Shamsi added that 87 initiatives were recorded in rationalization programmes resulting in the saving of 884 mn dhs, representing 14% of the budget of operating expenses and 6% of the projects budget. In the area of revenue development, 29 initiatives were recorded saving 328 mn dhs, representing 7% of total budget revenues. All these initiatives helped the civic body to reduce the costs in general budget by 19%, operating expenses by 10% and projects by 25% for 2011 compared to 2010.Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2012.
