Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has honoured the winners and partners of the second Ideal Home initiative. The initiative was launched by DEWA, in collaboration with 9 government agencies in Dubai. This is part of DEWA’s commitment to its corporate social responsibility, and its efforts to consolidate environmental sustainability and promote happiness within society.
HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, honoured the winners. The ceremony was attended by Major General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs—Dubai, Khalifa Hassan Aldrai, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services, HE Ahmed Abdul Karim Julfar, Director General of the Community Development Authority, Major General Khalil Ibrahim Al Mansouri, Assistant Commandant for Criminal Investigations Affairs at Dubai Police, and other senior government officials.
DEWA also honoured its partners in the initiative: Dubai Police, Dubai Municipality, the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, the Roads & Transport Authority, Dubai Health Authority, Dubai Civil Defence, Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services, the Community Development Authority, and the Smart Dubai Government Establishment.
The first place winner received an electric car, the second received AED20,000, and the third place winner received AED15,000. Winners from the fourth to the tenth place received AED10,000 each. Additionally, photovoltaic solar systems will be installed on the rooftops of the ten winners’ houses.
In his speech during the award ceremony, Al Tayer congratulated the winners, and commended the efforts of the participating agencies.
“The initiative is part of our joint efforts to achieve the highest levels of social happiness, in line with the vision and directives of our wise leadership, and support the Dubai Plan 2021 to establish Dubai as a smart and sustainable city whose environmental elements are clean, healthy, and sustainable. The Ideal Home initiative aims to raise customer awareness about the best practices for an ideal home environment. This is done by establishing a culture of using electricity and water sensibly to contribute to environmental protection, enhancing air quality, adopting health and safety measures, participating in voluntary and social work, abiding by the law, registering in smart services, as well as other sustainable living practices that contribute to building an ideal society in Dubai,” said Al Tayer.
“His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, said that Emiratis are the most valuable treasure and the life of the nation, and that their safety and security is a priority for everyone. Through this initiative, we aim to enhance their quality of life, ensure the safety and well-being of our community members, and raise awareness about best practices. This will provide an ideal environment at home, and establish environmental sustainability in Dubai in cooperation with our partners, Dubai Police, Dubai Municipality, the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, the Roads & Transport Authority, Dubai Health Authority, Dubai Civil Defence, Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services, the Community Development Authority, and the Smart Dubai Government Establishment. This supports our strategy of working as one team, where government organisations integrate with each other to achieve their common goal which is the happiness of society and strengthening the position of the UAE, which ranked as the second most trusted government in the world, according to the Edelman Trust Barometer,” added Al Tayer.
“As I congratulate the winners, I ask you to continue your efforts to make your homes role models that encourage others to implement the highest standards and best practices to ensure a brighter future, for generations to come,” concluded Al Tayer.
“The Ideal Home initiative is an important community initiative that has proven an outstanding success for all participants and partners from government organisations. It reflects the well-established lifestyle in Dubai, and the modern quality of life. Dubai Health Authority works to promote this lifestyle through qualitative and distinct initiatives related to healthy lifestyles, based on innovative ideas and smart means. The objectives of the initiative are in line with DHA’s strategic objectives to establish a healthier and happier society. The initiative is also in line with DHA’s projects and programmes that support this objective by raising society’s awareness about the importance of health and fitness, providing medical services, tests, and guidelines that support and promote the health and safety of individuals,” said HE Humaid Al Qatami, Chairman of the Board and Director General of Dubai Health Authority (DHA).
Major General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-chief of Dubai Police, commended the Ideal Home initiative, which was launched by DEWA in collaboration with 9 government agencies, to inform customers about the best practices to create an ideal environment at home, and commit to a sustainable lifestyle for an ideal society.
Al Marri emphasised that the initiative is unique and in line with the Smart Dubai initiative, launched by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to make Dubai the smartest and happiest city in the world by establishing the foundations of environmental sustainability in the Emirate.
Al Marri commended the initiative that instils an ideal culture for a happy environment among families in Dubai, and honours homeowners who implement the highest standards of environmental protection, sustainability, health, security, public safety, social responsibility and smart transformation. He noted that the initiative contributes to protecting natural resources, reducing energy demand, and reducing consumption. Al Marri said that Dubai Police is keen to participate in the initiative to support environmental initiatives and sustainable development to achieve security, health, and public safety standards in society.
Major General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai, commended DEWA for launching the Ideal Home initiative, which promotes individuals’ role in preserving natural resources.
“The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai is committed to establishing the values of Corporate Social Responsibility by participating in various initiatives and awareness campaigns that serve society. We were keen to participate in the Ideal Home initiative, which DEWA launched in 2016. It is a pioneering service that establishes environmental sustainability in Dubai, and spreads awareness about the best practices to maintain an ideal environment at home. At the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai, we work to achieve the government’s aspirations to make Dubai the smartest and happiest city in the world. This is done by improving government work system, enhancing happiness in society, promoting social responsibility, and participating in initiatives that serve all society and make people happy. We are pleased to cooperate with other government organisations in initiatives that contribute to promoting a culture of conservation, safety, and security, to build an ideal society,” said Mohammed Al Marri
“The Ideal Home initiative, which was launched by DEWA in cooperation with a number of government organisations, including the Directorate General of Civil Defence, is implementing the Smart Dubai initiative to make Dubai the smartest and happiest city in the world. Ideal Home shares the same strategic objectives of the Directorate General of Civil Defence, and its vision for the future: A Smart Civil Defence for a Smart City, to allow people to live happily and comfortably in a sustainable, risk-free environment, by involving everyone in achieving safety for all. An Ideal Home is risk free, realises its cultural duties, applies the best practices in the protection of lives, property, resources, and the environment. That’s why we are partners in supporting the family that is committed to the safety of its members and the society, and is keen on the sustainability of its resources and consumption. Wasting resources and energy, and neglecting the conditions of fire prevention are two main reasons that lead to loss and damage. As a government team, we strive to work with the community to spread the culture and behaviour that make homes ideal as safe places that protect lives, wealth, and the environment, as well as prevent damage by adopting wrong practices,” said Major General Rashid Thani Al Matrooshi, Director General of Dubai Civil Defence.
“The Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services has been actively involved in all effective social initiatives in Dubai to improve the quality of life now and in the future, promote environmental protection, enhance public health, and strengthen safety and security at all times. Each year, we cooperate with strategic partners including Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, especially in its wonderful Ideal Home initiative. The initiative promotes ideal values and enhances positive competition among community members, on the rational consumption and following the rules and principles of health, safety, and security, as well as abiding by laws and best practices to establish the Ideal Home. The Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services seeks fruitful and constructive cooperation with all government organisations in Dubai, to achieve these noble goals, to promote an ideal lifestyle, and achieve happiness and sustainability of resources for future generations,” said Khalifa Aldarrai, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services.
200 homes took part in the second Ideal Home initiative. Out of these, 60 were shortlisted based on the criteria set by the partners. The government agencies conducted a total of 180 field visits, with an average of three visits per home, in addition to several workshops and awareness campaigns. The first stage included energy efficiency audits to all nominated homes in cooperation with Taqati. Each home was provided with an energy efficiency report that included energy and water saving tips tailored to the consumption of each house. In the second stage, partners collaborated to organise visits to raise awareness. In the third and final phase, the homes were evaluated and 10 ideal homes were selected.
Mohammed Hassan Ahmed Al Fardan, who came first, won an electric car. Ahmed Abdullah Saeed Abdullah as second and received a cash prize of AED20,000. Zuhair Abdullah Ahmed, came third and received AED15,000. Winners from 4th to 10th place received cash prizes of AED10,000 each. In addition, solar panels will be installed on the rooftops of the ten winners’ houses.
Hamdan Nasser Humaid came fourth, Ahmed Mohammed Amin Abdulrahman Kalat was fifth, Khadija Abdulrahman Younis Ali came sixth, Mohammed Sharaf Mohammed was seventh, Zainab Sayed Morsi Hassan came eighth, Adel Abdullah was ninth, and Rashid Mohammed Abdullah was tenth.
“There are many initiatives by government organisations in Dubai, but this one has touched our family life. During the past months, this initiative was part of our family talk. We learned how to make our home safe, sustainable and eco-friendly,” said Mohammed Hassan Ahmed Al-Fardan, the first place winner.
Ahmed Abdullah Saeed Abdullah who came second, commended the efforts of DEWA and the participating organisations in the Ideal Home initiative. He noted that it helped him reduce his electricity and water expenses, and in turn reduce his monthly bill.
“The initiative is excellent and very useful to society. It helped us raise awareness in my family and also among neighbours by sharing information with them. The initiative helped me personally, in terms of increasing my sense of security. The participation of 10 government organisations also enriched the quality and quantity of the information that we received,” said Zuhair Abdullah Ahmed, third place winner.