The ties that bind

Abu Dhabi announced a spending program for the less well-to-do northern emirates. The timing is in the context of protests in other GCC countries for better living conditions and political reform.

The National:

The President yesterday ordered Dh5.7 billion [$1.6 billion] of investment in electricity and water infrastructure in the northern emirates that analysts say will breathe new life into the area and strengthen the ties that bind the nation.
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Local politicians and residents who have complained in the past about services being inferior to those in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, with frequent water and power cuts, said yesterday they were optimistic about the future.
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Sharjah, which has suffered power cuts every summer, will receive an additional 700 megawatts from the capital, and a new distribution plant will be set up in the emirate,at a cost of Dh500 million. The emirate will also receive an additional 10 million gallons of water a day.