'Role of CMC reflects proper approach to serving nation'

HE the Minister of Municipality Dr Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Subaie emphasised the role of the Central Municipal Council (CMC) in promoting popular participation in the country as the first platform that translates the sound approach drawn by the wise leadership to serve the homeland and contribute to its development and elevating its status.
In an interview with Qatar News Agency (QNA) on the occasion of the approaching elections for the 7th session of the council, HE al-Subaie added that, since the first council was elected by direct ballot on March 8, 1999, the Central Municipal Council continues its independent role in carrying out its responsibilities freely and democratically, without interference or tutelage from anyone. The council has now reached its 7th session, he said, adding that the elections will be held on June 22, 2023, so that citizens can freely choose 29 members representing 29 electoral districts covering various regions of the country.
On this occasion, HE the Minister of Municipality extended sincerest congratulations to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and the esteemed government on the continued success of the practice of popular participation in the country, which is represented in the Shura Council elections and the elections of the Central Municipal Council.
He drew attention to the freedom enjoyed by the members of the council in raising issues and monitoring the performance of the ministry, pointing out that it is an independent council that was elected by the Qatari people through free and direct balloting, therefore it exercises its role and tasks with complete freedom, and the Ministry of Municipality has no authority over its actions, as each of them is considered complementary to the other.
The role of the council is a supervisory advisor, and it has the right to discuss all issues and problems. It is not limited to what can be put forward by the ministry which listens to its proposals, he added; noting that the members of the municipal council determine their work program and budget without interference from anyone, and the Ministry of Municipality and the municipal council work cooperatively for one goal which is serving the country and the citizens.
With regard to the facilities provided by the State for the candidacy and election process, HE Dr al-Subaie stressed that, since the State took this pioneering step by holding the first elections for the municipal council nearly 24 years ago, and over the past six sessions, it continues to provide all facilities for the success of this electoral process. The concerned agencies provide all their support and efforts to make this democratic practice a success, especially the Ministry of the Interior, which undertakes the task of organizing the elections, based on Decree No. 17 of 1998.
Through all the municipalities, the Ministry of Municipality provides services and facilities related to advertising licenses for electoral campaigning for the candidates, HE Dr al-Subaie said, adding that applications for obtaining them are done electronically through the ministry's website, and in accordance with the general conditions and required planning and organizational requirements.
To facilitate for the candidates, whether for the Municipal Council or the Shura Council elections, the Ministry of Municipality launched the "guidebook of planning and organizational conditions and the procedures for the means of media and advertisement in Qatar," with the aim of introducing the terms and conditions regulating the various types and levels of the different means of media and advertising, whether they are within or outside the boundaries of the ownership domain, or are independent on their own.
In regard to the competences of the Central Municipal Council and the extent to which its recommendations can be used to meet the needs of citizens, HE the Minister of Municipality explained that Law No. 12 of 1998 and its amendments regulating the Central Municipal Council, defines the terms of reference and powers entrusted to this council, represented in monitoring the implementation of laws, decisions and regulations related to the powers and competences of the ministry and the council, including laws, decisions and regulations related to the affairs of organizing buildings, land planning, roads, commercial, industrial and public shops and others.
The Ministry of Municipality pays attention to the decisions and recommendations submitted by the council to the Minister of Municipality to take the appropriate decision in this regard, in accordance with what is stipulated in Article 25 of Law No. 1 of 2011 amending some provisions of Law No. 12 of 1998 organizing the Central Municipal Council, he added.
HE al-Subaie stated that to facilitate communication and interaction with the decisions and recommendations of the Central Municipal Council, an office headed by an assistant director of the Minister's Office for Municipal Council Affairs has been designated to receive requests and recommendations of council members and its committees and transfer them to the concerned authorities in the ministry to respond to them.
Also, there is continuous coordination between the ministry's officials, particularly the municipal managers, and the representatives of the constituencies in these municipalities regarding the projects and services provided to the residents of their constituencies, as both parties participate in seeking to serve the residents of these areas as they are closest to them in the various affairs of their daily lives. Likewise, the ministry officials do not hesitate to respond to any invitations addressed to them from the Municipal Council Secretariat, to attend the meetings of the council or its specialized committees, provide information and respond to questions and inquiries raised by members of the council, he added.
HE al-Subaie stressed the role of the ministry in the success of the work of the Council and its keenness to provide all aspects of support to it in light of the existing cooperation and integration relationship between the two parties to ensure the success of the council in its mission in a manner that meets the hopes and aspirations of citizens in their constituencies and achieves the desired goals in raising the level of services in Qatari cities and contribute to the comprehensive development plans that the country is working to achieve.
He said that the ministry, through its competent agencies, is very keen to communicate with the Central Municipal Council, in the interest of developing municipal work. The ministry also attaches great importance to the recommendations or requests it receives from the council, aimed at serving the public interest, he added. He underlined the ministry's keenness to ensure the success of the Central Municipal Council and its firm belief in the importance of this council as the first platform for the practice of popular participation in the State of Qatar.
Regarding the impact of the oversight departments in the municipalities and the launch of online services for citizens on the role of the Council, HE al-Subaie pointed out that the municipalities and their affiliated departments were established to provide services to citizens and residents of their areas with ease, through online services provided via the ministry's website or the (Oun) application of smart devices, government service complexes, or other advanced means of providing services within Qatar Digital Government.
He added that all municipalities, their departments, and the services they provide are supportive and enhance the role of the members of the Central Municipal Council in serving their constituents and meeting their requirements through the advanced mechanisms and means of the ministry to achieve the satisfaction of citizens who are the residents of the constituencies represented by the members of the municipal council; stressing that the ministry and the council work in a team spirit to achieve one goal, which is to serve the country and the citizen.