DM confirms "Laban Up" is free from contamination

The Food Control Department at Dubai Municipality has confirmed that the product "Laban Up," a brand of Gulf & Safa Dairy LLC, is free from any yeast and mould contamination as it was proved from the tests conducted in the DM's Food and Environment Laboratory, in addition to three other laboratories of the country.

However, Khalid Mohammed Sharif Al Awadhi, Director of Dubai Municipality Food Control Department said that this is not contradicting the result of the test conducted on the product in one of the labs in the country as the specimen taken for that test represents the specimen itself, not all the products.

"There are other aspects that affect the result of the test such as the condition of the surroundings from where the specimen is taken, the temperature level in which the specimen is stored, the condition in which the specimen is transported to the lab, the way the test was conducted, and many other aspects," he pointed out.

Al Awadhi added that on getting the result of a test on a food sample from a food control lab in the country the result will be circulated by the Secretariat of UAE Municipalities to coordinate among the municipalities to conduct confirmation tests on specimens of the same product in order to ward off any doubt or mistake.

"This is also to avoid consequent incorrect measures that may affect the consumer as well as the foodstuff establishment. It is an example of good coordination between the food control bodies in the country for the public welfare," he said.

Al Awadhi said that these kinds of messages are taken up on a routine basis among the testing bodies in the country and there are committees and joint action teams between food control bodies that cooperate among themselves in the health and safety service of the society.

As regards the finding of contamination on the specimen taken for analysis by the lab, he said, it is assumed that the conditions in which the specimen is taken and its transportation to the lab might be unsuitable for storage.

Al Awadhi explained that any increase in bacteria can happen in conditions without air inside the food cans, which may lead to occurrence of the container getting open.

"It may not be noticed by the consumer while buying it. The scientifically known fact is that the enzymes influence the quality of the product, not its safety, in other words, it does not cause food poisoning incidents," he said.

Al Awadhi confirmed that the Food Control Department in Dubai Municipality has not received any complaint about the product in question and reassured the public on the safety of the product.

He also appealed not to spread any messages related to food products before contacting the specialists in the Food Control Department or any other food control authorities in the country for confirming the significance and the extent of credibility of these messages.

DM honours collaborators in catching environment polluters

The Environment Department in Dubai Municipality honoured 24 people among the public who cooperated with the civic body in catching environment polluters among the drivers of tankers that transport sewage water violating the environmental protection rules in Dubai during the past months.
Eng. Hamdan Al Shaer, Director of Environment Department handed over cash rewards announced by the Municipality earlier to those who cooperated with it in reporting the violations in this field. Those who cooperated with the Municipality included people of different nationalities.
Al Shaer said the Municipality had formed a field action team to catch these violators. The team, led by Khalid Suleten, during the past period, with the cooperation of people from the public and the patrolling department of Dubai Police caught 208 tankers that emptied sewage water in open areas or storm water openings. Each of them were imposed with a fine of Dhs100,000.
Some violations were caught from labour accommodations as some owners were extending plastic pipes from the sewage water gathered in its storage tanks and were flowing it out outside the accommodation in the sand or open areas.
Al Shaer appealed nationals and expatriates in the emirate to cooperate with the Municipality in reporting this practice of violation by calling on the toll-free number 800900.
He also stressed the importance of increased efforts to face this uncivilized phenomenon that does not suit the name and fame of the city of Dubai and its clean environment.
The Municipality has announced that it will give Dhs2,000 cash reward for those who inform the violations.

MASDAR SET TO CAPITALISE ON INTERNATIONAL

Abu Dhabi, January 19, 2009 — Masdar chief executive Dr. Sultan Al Jaber announced today that Masdar, a multi-faceted future energy initiative wholly owned by the Mubadala Development Company, is well-positioned to capitalize on the “undeniable momentum and long term viability” of renewable energy technology in his keynote speech at the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi.

Dr. Al Jaber acknowledged the recent global economic downturn in his opening ceremony address, but said that the renewable energy sector continues to grow and pointed to recent global commitments that call for increasing investment and deployment of renewable energy technologies.

The Government of Abu Dhabi has indicated its own commitment to the adoption of renewable energy, and will soon publish a comprehensive energy policy that includes a pledge that by 2020, renewable energy sources will account for at least 7 percent of the Emirate’s total power generation capacity. Masdar estimates this commitment will create a renewable energy market valued at US$6-8 billion in the Emirate, creating business opportunities for local and international companies.

“Masdar will be at the forefront of the research, development and deployment of solutions that will enable governments around the world, including our own, to meet the targets they are setting for the adoption of renewable energy,” said Dr. Al Jaber, speaking at the summit.

In the past 12 months, Masdar has made significant advancements across the full spectrum of renewable energy solutions to help build a renewable energy sector in Abu Dhabi and to accelerate the deployment of clean technologies globally.

· Breaking ground on the development of Masdar City – the world’s first carbon-neutral city
· Building a solar manufacturing plant in Germany, creating green-jobs and technical know-how to transfer to Abu Dhabi
· Enrolling a pre-class of students at the Masdar Institute – the world’s first graduate institution dedicated to future energy solutions
· Investing in leading renewable technologies, forming joint ventures, and R&D partnerships to apply scale and capital to accelerate technology deployment and commercialization

In addition, international evidence of the widespread adoption of renewable energy includes recent commitments by the Governments of Australia and the United States to make significant investments in renewable energy technologies, a commitment by the European Parliament to reduce carbon emissions by 20 percent by 2020, and international efforts led by the Governments of Germany, Denmark and Spain to establish an International Renewable Energy Agency, dedicated to the widespread adoption of renewable energy on a global scale.

“Looking at recent local and international commitments, it is our view that the world has reached a tipping point in the acceptance of renewable energy,” he said. “We have a long, challenging journey ahead of us, but we are heading in the right direction and the progress we are making is irreversible.”

“It is a testament to the will of our leadership, HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, and HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, under their guidance Masdar will provide a comprehensive solution to the world’s energy challenges and maintain Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading supplier of energy to the world,” he added.

Masdar is host of the World Future Energy Summit, which commenced today and attracted more than 15,000 delegates, 300 exhibitors and 20 government delegations to discuss the global response to future energy challenges.

Committee formed to implement Green Roofs System in Dubai

Dubai Municipality has formed a temporary committee to oversee the implementation of Green Roofs System in the buildings of Dubai emirate as per the directives of the UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
The move is aimed at applying green buildings standards in the emirate as the green roofs will protect the buildings from the environment and climate angle as well as rationalize the use of power.
Eng. Hussain Nasser Lootah, Director General of Dubai Municipality, who issued an Administrative Decision in this regard, said the decision comes at a time when the concept of green buildings gains momentum all over the world.
He said green buildings are considered to be environmentally friendly and provide healthier places to live as well as encourage productivity in work places.
The committee is chaired by Eng. Essa Al Maidour, Assistant Director General for Planning and Buildings Affairs with Ahmed Mohammed AbdulKarim, Director of Public Parks and Horticulture Department, Mohammed Noor Mashroom, Director of General Projects Department, Mohamed Ahmed Saleh, Building Expert in the Buildings Department and Fatima Essa Al Mehairi, Head of Gardening and Landscaping Unit in the General Projects Department as members.
As per the Administrative Decision, the committee can take the help of anybody it finds appropriate with expertise from within the Municipality or outside in implementing the system. It can also appoint a secretary from among the Municipality employees.
The committee shall conduct technical studies for the Green Roofs System for buildings in the emirate of Dubai and define the engineering, building, environmental and horticultural specifications as well as the irrigation and water disposal systems as per the best practices in the world.
The committee shall gradually make implementation of the Green Roofs System compulsory in all buildings in the emirate, whether it is private or government, residential, commercial or industrial as per a time schedule, which will be fulfilled in coordination with the Buildings Department in the Municipality.
An awareness campaign will also be organized through various media to introduce the system. Seminars, lectures and meetings involving different bodies concerned in the construction industry would also be conducted.
The project comes as an implementation and follow up of the Green Buildings project. It also caters to the huge urban expansion witnessed by the city of Dubai, which enhances the heat level of the region. Green roofs are considered to be one of the environment friendly solutions taken up by Dubai Municipality to face the project expansions.
The Municipality has conducted an extensive study that confirmed the success of this project in other countries. Hence, the Municipality decided to apply this excellent concept in protecting the environment and reducing the heat level and cleansing the air from other pollutants.
The Green Buildings project becomes important as it reduces carbon emission and enhances indoor environment and air. It also enhanced the health of the society and increases life expectancy of the buildings as well as protects the eco system.

e-junior gets a new look with a fresh and vibrant image

Dubai, January 18, 2009: e-junior, the exclusive U.A.E kids channel from E-Vision, announced the launch of its new brand image to maintain its distinctive position as the only TV channel catering to kids from the UAE. The new brand image marks the 8th year anniversary for e-junior and represents a fresh and trendy look for the channel in terms of its image as well as content.

e-junior channel shared the launch of its new look with 50 kids, winners of the 8th birthday contest. The get together was held and sponsored by Ski Dubai, were kids enjoyed a full day at the Snow Park and enjoyed the new fresh and trendy look of their favorite channel.

The new brand image uses four mascots as a graphic element to signify the different content streams which will be offered to kids with the green denoting animation, the blue for pre-school, the orange for live action and red for movies. The already existing slogan "Be Cool, Think Bright”, will create along with the new look a trendy and informative resource for kids from the age group of 0-16 years in addition to educating them on different aspects of their lives.

The new appearance of the channel also comes with a lot of fun programs as well. e-junior will be unveiling brand new programming on a exclusive basis ranging from “Are We There Yet? World Adventure”: a unique kids' global adventure from National Geographic, a brand new season of “Oggy and the Cockroaches” (a very popular comedy animation) in addition to many other shows. e-junior Town season II programming will also return with more interactivity, fun and education after a phenomenal response from UAE kids to the local flavour of the show.

According to Fatiha Bensalem, Channel Manager/ e-junior, “The new e-junior has a new look, new features, and more specific categories. It represents an exciting new direction for the channel to stay close to the kids with a fresh and trendy blend of content which is more comprehensive and interactive in nature. “

She added, “The channel has also new content base which has been tailor-made specifically for our kids in the country. The new fresh look also brings more exciting new content for kids from 0-16yrs.”

The new brand image will also encompass a complete re-branding of the e-junior website in addition to the launch of the e-junior portal where kids will have a chance to watch all e-junior local productions in addition to some other shows in the future, any time they want, on-line.

The new logo has been internally developed and the animations were handled by the MoonScoop Group, one of the leading worldwide brand management and entertainment companies engaged in the production, distribution, licensing, merchandising, marketing and distributing of animated creations.

E-Vision is the leading regional source to offer over 260 TV channels, in 21 different languages, ranging from sports to movies, from documentaries to music and kid's channels. E-Vision's product line-up includes 15 premium packages from all the major TV providers like Showtime, Orbit, ART, Pehla, Firstnet, TFC, Pinoy Plus and many more, in addition to the E-Vision Basic package.

DM issues safety code in English for best practices in construction sites

Dubai, 18 January 2009: Dubai Municipality's Building Department has issued a safety code in English for best practices at construction sites which outlines general and specific safety procedures for all types of construction and demolition works and associated jobs. The Arabic edition of the code has been available since July 2008.

The issuance of this code, titled "Code of Construction Safety Practice" stems from the great concern placed by the municipality for safety issues and the need to introduce future standards for the same.

The code includes a set of rules that will help construction firms adopt the best practices in ensuing safety at construction sites. It can be used as a reference for regulating the working conditions in construction projects for all employees who work with contractors or sub-contractors.

The new safety manual forms part of the set of legislation currently being undertaken by Dubai Municipality with the objective of introducing a complete legal framework in line with the municipality's Strategic Plan 2007-2011. This will result in producing a set of the most important legislation documents for the emirate.

"As we face unprecedented and difficult challenges in offering the best infrastructure for a world-class city like Dubai, the issuance of such a manual is all the more relevant. In designing this manual, many of the safety standards existing in the advanced and developing nations were referred to," Essa Al Maidour, Assistant Director General of Dubai Municipality for Planning and Building Affairs, said.

Shedding light on the contents of the code, Al Maidour said the code includes a set of rules which regulate construction projects carried out in the Emirate of Dubai.
The code also lays down stricter fire safety preconditions in the wake of an increased rate of fire accidents at projects under construction. In this regard, the consultants and contractors have to give top priority for early installation of the permanent fire prevention devices and arranging water tanks and water pumps at construction sites to put off fire and sources of alternative energy. This is applicable even if the building is complete and ready for occupation.

Technical guidelines appended to the code are part and parcel of it. All rules and appended technical guidelines stipulated in it shall be applied to all building operations and engineering construction projects undertaken by way of trade or for the purpose of residential, commercial or industrial by or on behalf of the private or the public sector which includes the government or any other public authority.

The code outlines general safety rules and clearly defines the roles and responsibilities of the employers, consultant engineers, contractors, sub-contractors with regard to the safety issues. It also lists the minimum requirements and the necessary arrangements to be made throughout all phases of construction including design works, supervision, and implementation in order to save the lives of employees and ensure their safety.

The code says that consultant engineers and contractors are responsible for the overall safety of a construction project throughout the implementation period and thereafter according to the prevailing laws and local order in this regard. Their responsibility also extends to buildings close to the construction site and any other public facility that may be affected by the works. They are also responsible for the safety of all employees and those present at the site or close to it.

The code also lists in detail the types of construction site accidents, work injuries, responsibilities for prevention of accidents, reporting of an accident, investigation into accidents, writing accident reports, vocational health and environment control, personal protection equipment, fire safety, storing of goods at construction sites, excavation works, concrete and block works, steel structure works, tunnels, dams, demolition works, welding works, electricity-related risks, insulation for power sources, hazardous chemical materials, road works, cranes…etc.

Arabic and English copies of the code are available for sale at the Customer Service Centres of the municipality for a price of Dhs100 each.

DM honours participants of Clean Up campaign

Eng. Hussain Nasser Lootah, Director General of Dubai Municipality said it is important to incorporate the principle of cooperation and joint coordination among establishments as far as environmental matters are concerned.
"It is also important to activate the participation of individuals in environmental programmes and activities organized by the Municipality to create environmental awareness among different categories of the public towards major environmental issues that concern the whole society," he said.
Lootah was speaking at a ceremony held at Grand Hyatt Hotel last week to honour the sponsors and participants of Clean Up the World 2008 campaign organized by the Municipality during 18 - 21 November last year with the participation of nearly 20,000 volunteers, who collected more than 4,150 tonnes of waste.
The ceremony was also attended by Eng. Abdullah Rafia, Assistant Director General for Environmental and Public Health Services Sector, Eng. Hassan Makki, Director of Waste Management Department and Head of the Campaign Team, Yaqoub Al Ali, Coordinator of the Campaign and a number of senior officials of the Municipality, in addition to representatives of local government departments and private establishments, NGOs, and people of different nationalities who participated in the campaign.
Those who were honoured in the ceremony included the main sponsors Al Naboodah, Al Habtoor Group, Zenath Recycling & Waste Management LLC, Gulf Eternit Industries and Grand Hyatt.
Lootah said the strategic objectives the Municipality had placed for this campaign have been achieved by huge public participation. "The campaign has become a platform for practical cooperation between establishments and individuals concerned with environment inside and outside the Municipality. The participation of people is increasing year after year, especially the support of the Federal Ministry of Environment and Water was vital in the success of the programmes," he said.
Lootah pointed out that the number of participants rose to 20,000 this time, which was only 200 in 1993. "We had a wide range of participation from different walks of life, among them the most notable was the participation of more than 6,500 students from the government and private schools in the emirate," he said.
Lootah said the support of the media was very significant as the different channels of media and the newspapers gave extensive coverage to the event.
During the ceremony he also launched a special website for the campaign called www.cleanuptheworld.dm.ae.
Hassan Makki said the campaign, inaugurated by the Minister of Environment and Water Dr. Ahmed Rashid Bin Fahd at Shindagha Heritage Village on November 18, focused on creating awareness among the young generation on protecting environment as well as enhancing knowledge on environment and pollution so that children become leaders in the future qualified to carry on the task of awareness creation.
He said that this year 6,500 students from 79 government schools and 31 private schools participated the Clean Up The World campaign. "In addition, more than 12,650 volunteers representing 309 private companies and 16 local departments participated in the activities of the campaign. Construction companies contributed by transporting more than 3,000 tonnes of clean sand to fill up the ground at beaches," he said.
Makki said the participation of different nationalities, especially Indians and Filipinos, was highly significant in the success of the campaign.
Yaqoub Al Ali noted that the campaign was associated with a number of awareness programmes on different environmental issues, especially throwing litter. "The awareness programmes included workshops on reducing and recycling waste, collection of used items from employees, painting on environment, Market for bags in place of plastic, workshop for making useful things from waste, information leaflets, radio contests, lectures and workshops in schools, field visits for students to recycling factories, in addition to photography contests in coordination with Filipino Photographers Association," he said.