RTA, Dubai Culture partner for Etihad Museum project

Dubai / WAM

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, (Dubai Culture) calling for enhanced cooperation and partnership between the two entities in designing and constructing the Etihad Museum Project along with the new Pole for a flag hoisting 123 meters above the ground.
Abdul Rahman bin Mohammed Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention and Chairman of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority and Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA signed the MoU.
Mohammed Ahmed Al Mur, Chairman of the Advisory Committee of Etihad Museum, Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Gargawi, Minister for Cabinet Affairs and Future, Dr. Anwar bin Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Helal Al Marri, Director-General of the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing were in attendance.
According to the MoU, RTA caters to designing and constructing the Etihad Museum project next to the Union House that saw the signing of the constituent document of the UAE federation back in 1971. It will also undertake the refurbishment of Al Diyafa Palace and the Union House, construction of a flagpole rising 123 meters and a car park with a capacity to accommodate 200 cars. It will also source exhibits according to the chronicle endorsed by the Advisory Committee, and lend support to the Culture and Arts Authority concerning branding the Museum. RTA has also to offer the kind of support needed by the Museum operator towards finalizing internal restaurants, food-processing facilities within the Museum and Al Diyafa Palace, and operating the gifts shop.
As per the MoU, RTA has to provide access to staff of the Dubai Culture to the site of permanent galleries of the Museum as well as their office space in order to start the necessary training from mid of August 2016. It will also provide the assistance needed in regards to all technical matters related to the production of entry cards for the Museum (NOL cards) upon the project completion by the end of September this year. The final handing over of the project to the Dubai Culture will be by the end of September this year, and every support will be extended for a successful opening ceremony on December 2, 2016.
The MoU provides for the Dubai Culture to undertake all requirements of the Museum branding, and communicate with local and federal government entities of the UAE as well as the international organizations to identifying the would-be exhibits, reviewing the design of permanent galleries & artefacts proposed by the Museum’s consultant, unleashing ‘Etihad Museum Exhibits’ campaign, mapping out and running a branding campaign, and reviewing the contents as per the chronicle endorsed by the Advisory Committee. It has also to attend to releasing tenders for sourcing and appointing operators to run internal restaurants, gifts shop, and the premises of the museum besides sourcing necessary security firms.
The Dubai Culture and Arts Authority has to run training programmes for Emiratis, procure all office supplies, and receive copies of engineering layouts, operation and maintenance manuals, and relevant documentation from RTA.
According to the MoU, the two parties will facilitate the exchange of best practices in the field of innovation & creativity in line with the Dubai Government drive. They will also assist the exchange of knowledge in fields of relevance to strategic plans & technical affairs as well as the best administrative practices.
Abdul Rahman bin Mohammed Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention and Chairman of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority said: “The signing of the MoU is in line with the directives of Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to design and construct the Etihad Museum. It also stems from the historical significance of the place and the value of the building that witnessed the signing of the declaration establishing the federation of the United Arab Emirates.
“Through the Etihad Museum, the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority aims to instill and perpetuate the concept of the union’s value in the conscience of citizens and upcoming generations, documenting the stages of establishing the federation, and showcasing the roles of the founding fathers late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum. Through the Museum, we also aim to highlight the sweeping development and landmark achievements besides turning the existing site into a tourist attraction and a cultural destination for citizens, residents and tourists,” explained Al Owais.
Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA said: “RTA, in collaboration with the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, is keen on the timely delivery of the project. It does not go without hailing the fruitful cooperation and effective partnership between the two entities in accomplishing the Etihad Museum project.
“The project aims to reaffirm the historical value of the place that saw the signing of the document declaring the UAE federation. It aims to transform it into a museum acting as a cultural radiation hub appealing to citizens, residents and tourists who are keen to acquaint themselves with the stages and challenges of establishing the federation along with the achievements made ever since.
“It would also consolidate the concept and value of the Union in the hearts of citizens and future generations, showcase the roles of late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, in setting the blueprints of establishing the federation. The Museum also aims to familiarise visitors with the nature of life of the inhabitants of the UAE during the pre-federation era, and spotlight the comprehensive development and landmark achievements made by the UAE during its blessed drive,” concluded Al Tayer.