In line with the vision of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and following the instructions of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, to build a modern community that adheres to the highest sustainability standards, Modon Properties (Modon), a development company mandated by the Abu Dhabi government to build vibrant and sustainable communities and develop strategic mixed-use projects in Abu Dhabi, has awarded the infrastructure project of the phase 1 south of Riyadh City. The AED1.53 billion project, which is carried out in cooperation with Abu Dhabi Housing Authority, was awarded to three contractors. The project falls under the strategy of the Abu Dhabi Government to build well planned, sustainable residential communities which fulfil the needs of citizens, and offers them a full range of facilities, including parks, schools, shops, mosques, health care and community centers. Speaking on the awarding of contracts, Basheer Khalfan Al Mehairbi, Acting Director General of Abu Dhabi Housing Authority, said: "Riyadh City is a major housing project that will advance the housing sector of Abu Dhabi, in line with the vision of the Emirate. Through providing a comprehensive set of service facilities, the community infrastructure will meet the needs of UAE citizens." Al Mehairbi praised the efforts of the Abu Dhabi Government, under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and the instructions of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and the support of His Highness Sheikh Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Deputy Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council. Commenting further, he said: "The government of Abu Dhabi is developing residential communities which provide communities with a good quality of life. Part of developing a community is the construction of the high quality infrastructure for the future residents of Riyadh City. "Through collaborating with Modon, the Abu Dhabi Government is investing in world-class resources and building high quality infrastructure that can provide a housing ecosystem which is aligned with the future vision of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi." Abdulla Al Sahi, CEO of Modon, explained that the awarding of the project confirms that work is currently moving ahead in a timely manner. He emphasized that Modon follows the vision of the leadership of the UAE, which aims to provide high quality comprehensive and sustainable projects. Al Sahi commented: "The infrastructure works which have been awarded to three contractors, will officially begin in October 2019, and will cover 8.4 million square meters. The infrastructure will serve over 3310 residential plots, 7 schools, two kindergartens, two health care centers, 18 mosques, 14 commercial plots, a civil defense center, a number of petrol stations and 5 plots designated to government buildings. "The infrastructure will include internal roads, street lighting, reduction of groundwater levels, telecommunication, water and sanitation, rainwater drainage systems, fire-fighting systems, traffic control systems and gas and electricity grids," he added. "The infrastructure project in the south of Riyadh City will occur over five phases, allowing residential plots to be constructed more quickly. According to our current schedule, the remaining phases will commence in 2020, serving a total of 13,000 plots. "At Modon Properties, we aim to foster relationships between the public and the private sector, which falls into the government vision of encouraging a competitive and diverse economy," Al Sahi concluded. The three awarded contractors responsible for the first phase of the infrastructure works in the south of Riyadh City are: Nael & Bin Harmal Hydroexport Establishment (NBHH), National Projects & Construction L.L.C, and Al Jimi & Partners Contracting Company LLC. The companies will develop roads, electricity networks, potable water and sewage infrastructure, irrigation networks, traffic signals, gas connections, telecommunication networks and connect the entire project to existing infrastructure. Tristar Engineering & Construction is currently working on preliminary tasks in accordance with approved plans. The awarding of this project follows the completion of the preliminary infrastructure works which started last April across 4,000 hectares, equivalent to 40% of the land area of Abu Dhabi Island. Riyadh City, located 30 kilometers from the capital, will have easy access to major urban and industrial venues across the Emirate. — SG
