NEWS FROM THE UAE
Excerpts from UAE Dailies
 
Dubai Police seize 23kg of heroin

DUBAI — JUN 10: In a major breakthrough the General Criminal Investigation Department of Dubai Police has seized 23kg of heroin smuggled into Dubai recently.

The Dubai police, who cracked the case, were acting on a tip-off that an Asian national R.H. had entered Dubai with 23kg of heroin, for delivery to a local trader, an African national identified as D.A.

The CID sleuths initially tracked the movements of the two suspects for several days. On May 17, the police followed R.H. while he was heading towards the congested Naif Area in Deira, carrying a plastic bag. The Asian national was subsequently arrested while delivering to D.A. the plastic bag, which on inspection was found to contain one and a half kilogram of heroin. After securing permission from the Dubai Public Prosecution, the police also raided the Asian national’s house and recovered another 21.5kg of heroin. During interrogation, R.H. told the police he had twice earlier succeeded in bringing in heroin capsules into UAE by concealing them into bundles of radish.

He also confessed that he had shipped 6kg of heroin to the UK by concealing it in horseradish in a shipment of ordinary vegetables.

The Dubai Police immediately alerted UK customs officials and when the consignment reached Heathrow airport, the UK authorities with the help of Dubai police arrested an Asian and an African national who had arrived to clear the shipment.

The British security  agencies have highly commended the close cooperation of Dubai Police in their anti-narcotics crime busting operations.

KHALEEJ TIMES

Gonu survivors recount ordeal

DUBAI — JUN 10: For more than 24 hours, they swung between life and death as the ill-fated Dubai Tranz rocked dangerously amid high waves and powerful winds in Omani waters after Cyclone Gonu hit the area. Though safely lodged in a Dubai hotel, the 11 survivors are still in a state of shock and disbelief. However, they have yet to get over the pangs of separation from 10 colleagues who are still missing.

The 21-member crew on board included Indians, Sudanese, Ethiopians and Iraqis.  The lucky survivors checked into a Dubai hotel yesterday, courtesy the Indian Consulate.

Parmeshwar, who hails from the desert state of Rajasthan, India, said, “We witnessed the power of nature. And after this ordeal, we have started to respect it. For more than 24 hours, we were in the ship desperately trying to stick together and fight it out. The powerful winds and the huge waves made us helpless. The sad part is that we lost our friends during the rescue process. We miss them and are praying for their safety.”

According to the sailors, the storm hit them at around 4.40am on June 5.

“Within moments, everything changed. It took very little time for the sea to get rough. The entire vessel was shaking heavily. Soon we found that our generators had stopped working and the steering wheel, too, got stuck. We were stranded without electricity, and water had begun to enter the vessel. We tried to contact Oman Port but couldn’t, as they were probably closed. The whole day we struggled as the situation worsened. But then our efforts were just not enough,” said Waqar Ahmad.

The crew members spotted the Hong Kong-based vessel at around 4.30 am on June 6. “We were lucky. Immediately, we contacted the vessel and got help. Abdul Aziz Qureishi, the captain of our ship, asked us to lower the emergency raft so that we would reach the other ship. He instructed everyone to wear life jackets. All 21 of us got into a raft and we sailed to the other vessel. This one was around 50 metres in height and they had thrown a rope to pull us up. While we managed to climb up, the 10 others could not do so and were swept away by the waves. Moreover the raft was also damaged with water accumulating in it. Our captain is also missing,” they lamented.

Among the missing are Indian officers and engineers as well as an Iraqi chef. 

All the survivors have called up their families to narrate their miraculous escape from death.

The US naval vessels in the area were carrying out search operations to trace the missing sailors. In addition, the Majed Abdullah Marine Co. has dispatched a vessel to salvage the ship which was spotted 50 nautical miles off Omani regional waters.

‘Dubai Tranz’ was first spotted by the German and US Naval vessels. They tried to contact the crew on board but received no response. It was later discovered that the ship had been abandoned.

Khaldoun Ahmed Al Gula, Technical Supervisor of Ships, Hamriya Port, said the ship which has not sunk completely, is owned by Majed Abdullah Marine Co. at Hamriya Port. The ship had set sail from Port Sudan in Sudan and passed through the Yemeni port of Makkala where it was loaded with heavy commodities and was heading for Dubai.

“While on the high seas, a distress call was sent but wasn’t taken seriously as the vessel continued to head north towards Muscat and Fujairah before it was caught up in the cyclone. With waves up to four metres and winds at speed of 120mph, the captain began to lose control of his ship and the vessel’s power went off on Thursday at around 4am,” Gula explained.

He added that the powerful swing of the ship had caused ropes holding the shipment to break and lifeboats to get damaged.

Gula stated that the Omani authorities were contacted on Thursday night and Friday morning to help search for survivors but they expressed their inability to send a chopper citing bad weather conditions.

“The damaged ship is still afloat and another vessel has been sent to salvage it,” he pointed out.

Meanwhile, B.S Mubarak, the official spokesperson of the Indian Consulate stated that they were presently preparing the required travel documents for the sailors and that they were expected to travel back home on Sunday.

KHALEEJ TIMES

Fish prices back to normal

DUBAI — JUN 10: ish prices are back to normal, except for the price of hammour which shot up yesterday to Dh75 per kg, although fishermen resumed their fishing trips on Friday after cyclone Gonu dissipated off the UAE coast.

Market sources attribute the hike in hammour price to non-availability of stock in the market.

Omar Al Mazroui, President of the UAE Fishermen’s Union,  however noted that other types of fish such as  sherry is now sold for Dh25, and Al Safi (fresh) for Dh50 per kg.

Al Mazroui said, “Earlier, we had expected the prices to soar up by 75 per cent, but after the cyclone situation improved in the UAE and the fishermen started to venture into the sea, the prices did not see any increase after the initial rise by 30 per cent on the first day of the cyclone threat.

The cyclone had forced all fishing activities to come to a complete halt over the past few days.  He pointed out that while fishing activity in Dubai had normalised, Fujairah, Kalba and other areas affected by the storm would limp back to normalcy over the next couple of days. He said that several fishing boats and other fishing gear in the cyclone battered areas had been damaged badly.

Hamad Al Rahoumi, consultant to Dubai Fishermen’s Association, said that the prices would decline within two days but the  country would see a summer price hike of 10 per cent which was normal during these months every year.

Several Asian fishermen and traders who continue to dominate the fish market, are exploiting people by creating an artificial hike due to the cyclone, he complained, adding, the Association has no authority to control the prices in the market.

“We have requested the government to give us full authority to regulate the fish marketing and combat the cheating in the type of fish as well as organising fish auctions, but nothing has been done so far in this regard,” Al Rahoumi said.

KHALEEJ TIMES

RTA studies plans to develop cost-effective public transport

DUBAI — JUN 10: Public transport authorities in Dubai are studying plans to improve strategy and develop suitable networks to offer a cost-effective and optimal public transport to the public, according to a senior official.

“Improvement of the public transport network is among the crucial challenges to elevate the efficiency levels of mobility in Dubai, said Mohammed Obaid Al Mulla, CEO of the Public Transport Agency of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

“These challenges are bound to activate and enhance the efficiency of the public transport system,” said Al Mulla.

He added that promoting the public transport sector as an integrated system is regarded a motivational factor to accomplish more significant urban evolvement  prior to embarking on widening the services to cover the countries in the region.    He explained that a major overview of operations and structures of the public transport is being conducted as priority plans and actions.

“The Public Transport Agency is currently focusing on the combination of low-density with expansive urban areas to create a type of integration in the public transport system, which means the passenger services are aimed to offer a cost-effective and optimal public transport in order to ensure efficiency and effectiveness in the services delivered to the public,” he added.

“The current public transports networks need to be put in combination, their capacities need to be increased and the public must be encouraged to go for them,” Al Mulla continued.

He also mentioned that the RTA is dedicated to provide Dubai with ideal fundamental network-restructuring possibilities and strong nodes of public mobility, highly efficient road networks and complementary feeder services characterised by effectiveness, safety and smoothness.

“Our customers would indulge themselves by opting us as their best choice of all public transport modes to increase the utility of these modes, which would reduce the usage of private cars and increase the cost recovery ratios, to ease off the traffic flow, lower the rate of accidents and diminish the eco pollution caused by the vehicles.”

“It would also improve the public health and increase the productivity of the society in a way that is in tune with the progress drive the UAE is witnessing on all fronts,” Al Mulla concluded.

KHALEEJ TIMES

Dairy price increase worries consumers

DUBAI — JUN 10: UAE residents have expressed concern over the increase of prices of several dairy products from 15 per cent to 18 per cent by a leading dairy company in UAE, with two more — Al Ain Dairy and Al Marai — ready to follow suit.

The three leading dairy companies  are also among the companies earlier warned by the UAE Ministry of Economy after they had demanded a collective price hike. But, the ministry had prevented the companies from raising the price, stating that a coalition of sorts by dairy companies to hike the price of their products, was not permissible, sources said.

As a result, the source from a dairy producers association said, that three of these companies have now resorted to the practice of hiking the price individually one after another. One of the companies, Al Rawabi  has already hiked the price of its products by 18 per cent yesterday, while Al Ain Dairy Company and Al Marai are slated to increase their prices shortly, the source said.

He said that the Ministry of Economy had given the dairy companies in the UAE  the freedom to take suitable action based on the economic condition and feasibility, increase in production cost and price of raw materials.

Meanwhile, residents have expressed concern over the trend saying the situation was becomig quite unbearable. They say that the Ministry of Economy and the  Consumer Protection Union should look into the problem, which, if aggravated, will make it very difficult for families to live in the country.

Asif Khan, a consumer said, “ Most of the expatriates leave their home countries and come to the UAE to save money but with the recent hikes in all products and commodities, saving is next to impossible.”

Huda Ali said that “Dairy products are one the essential food items in every  household and the increase is definitely going to affect the budget of low-income people.”

KHALEEJ TIMES

Dubai public transport drivers set to get residential quarters

DUBAI — JUN 10: Drivers working in the fast-expanding public transport network in Dubai will be provided accommodation with recreational facilities, said a senior Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) official.

In an exclusive interview with Khaleej Times, Mohammed Obaid Al Mulla, CEO of Public Transport Agency at RTA, said residential quarters would be built within the bus depot premises, where maintenance and repair works would also be carried out. “Construction work has already begun on three bus depots and will be completed by year-end,” he said.

He said there would be separate residential quarters for bachelors and families. “We will provide all kinds of recreational facilities for the drivers so that they can work in a relaxed state of mind,” he added.

“We are carrying out a huge public welfare project. We have already purchased 620 modern buses from pioneering manufacturers, raising the number of the public buses to 1,200. The new buses will gradually be in place from November 2007 until January 2009,” said Al Mulla.

He said the Dh1.9 billion deal for 170 double-decker buses, 300 articulated and 150 standard buses would also cover transfer of technical expertise and training.

“Out of these, 550 buses will be used within the city while 70 double-deckers will be used to connect Sharjah and Abu Dhabi,” he said, adding that each standard bus can seat 70 people while articulate and double-decker buses have a capacity of 120. Currently 504 buses are operating on 69 routes.

“We aim to increase the usage to 30 per cent by implementing 13 recommendations in the master plan,” he said, adding that the transport system would cover 95 per cent of urban areas in Dubai within three years.

Al Mulla explained that several important features would be part of the public transport’s strategic plan. “We will have automated vehicles and ensure proper management and punctuality. More room for movement and spacious seats, quality and several other important points will be also ensured,” he added.

“By 2009, public transport will be faster, more reliable and cost-effective. Our target is to provide a higher quality of service with same comfort levels as a private vehicle,” said Al Mulla.

KHALEEJ TIMES

Wanted: Illegal jobseekers
  
 
UAE: JUN 10: Authorities are cracking down on job-seeker adverts that blatantly break the labour laws.
No checks are carried out on those who place such ads in classified sections of newspapers and on notice boards.

Some may have absconded from their sponsors, said Lieutenant Colonel Abdullah Ali Saeed bin Sahoo, Director of Naturalisation and Residency in Sharjah. Some may even be living in the country illegally, he added.

Ministry of Labour sources said it was against the law for people to offer services as part-time domestic helps because residents were not allowed to work for anyone other than their sponsor.

Those who sought to hire workers by placing adverts were actively encouraging people to abscond.

The sources said people who place adverts with the intention of finding cheap labour are ignoring legal requirements.

“Residents who advertise for domestic servants are breaking the law, as the legit imate way to employ servants is to recruit them through agencies that function according to labour rules and regulations,” said Bin Sahoo.

“Such adverts actively encourage workers to flee from their current sponsors. Newspapers that run these advertisements do not check the credibility of the advertisers, making things worse.” There are no clear guidelines on posting personal adverts in publications and on notice boards.

Emirates Today contacted job seekers and employers who had placed ads – and all believed they were not breaking any rules. Those who accepted adverts for display said they received no guidance from the authorities.

“We do allow people to post personal advertisements on our notice board without checking their credibility,” said a Spinneys’ spokesman.

“But if the authorities issued clear guidelines regarding the procedure, we would definitely follow them.” Ministry of Labour undersecretary Humaid bin Demas said publications were not being held responsible for the classified adverts.

The ministry could not expect them to verify the credibility of employers and the legal status of the candidates.

Recruitment experts said candidates who sought jobs through agencies could be assured of the credibility of those seeking staff.

Cliff Single of BAC Executive Recruitment, said agents acted as intermediaries and protected the interests of both employers and the candidates. “The service is provided with a high level of confidentiality and we ensure advertisers have good reputations,” he added.
 
 
EMIRATES TODAY

Survivors relate a tale of horror on the high 
 
Dubai - Jun 10: The 11 sailors of Tranz Dubai, a ship that was abandoned at Ras Al Had in Oman during Cyclone Gonu, reached Dubai last night.  They are recovering from their experience and are awaiting repatriation to their home countries.

The survivors of the 5,000tonne cargo ship include the second officer, Parameswar Rathi from India, and Yonathan Isegal, the third engineer from Eritrea.  Worried about the missing sailors who were also trying to escape with them in the same life raft, they related the story of their ordeal.

The survivors said even though they received a warning three to four hours before the cyclone, they were unprepared for how hard the storm hit their ship.

When the ship started taking in water and the generator stopped supplying power, the captain decided to abandon the vessel.

For a while, after the generators stopped functioning, the entire crew sat together in total darkness.

“We started sailing three days before the accident on Wednesday. Due to severe cyclone and bad weather, the cargo in the lower berth was tossed around, creating panic among the sailors,” said the second officer.

“When all efforts to restore power to the ship failed, the captain decided to abandon the ship and waited to be rescued,” said Parameswar.

The cargo included bulldozers, containers, heavy trucks and cars.

According to him, the captain sought the opinion of other engineers and decided to wait until the next day to use life rafts during daylight.

“When the situation became worse, we saw another ship passing through the area and the captain communicated to this ship by radio signals and decided to use life rafts.There were four life rafts, but due to bad weather it took about four hours to put just one raft in water.

“The rope of the first raft broke and then we tried the second raft,” he said.

The Tranz’s captain could communicate with another ship, the Shino Navigation, which was three nautical miles away and its captain advised him to wait until the next morning to use life rafts.

The Tranz was abandoned at 6.30am and the entire crew attempted to reach the rescue ship in one life raft.

When water began to enter the raft, only some of the sailors were able to climb up 60 metres to reach the deck of the rescue ship. Others were washed away by the lashing waves, which measured 10 to 20 metres high.

The survivors saw the rest of the crew struggling in the water, but could not help them.

“I cannot explain how it happened.The memory is still fresh in my mind,” said Yonathan.

While the survivors have called their loved ones, the families of the missing men have yet to be contacted.
 
 
EMIRATES TODAY