In early 1996, the Privatization Committee for the Water & Electricity
Sector (PCWES) was formed. In addition to restructuring the industry,
the Privatization of the Water & Electricity Sector of Abu Dhabi
was to accomplish the following principle goals and objectives:
- To provide
secure, safe, and reliable supplies of water and electricity;
- To recover
lost economic efficiencies;
- To improve
customer services and reduce costs to consumers;
- To encourage
private sector investment;
- To develop
employment opportunities for UAE nationals; and
- To maximize
returns from the sale of existing government owned assets.
The Privatization
Committees activities involved the extensive use of consultants
to prepare recommendations for the restructuring of the existing
sector, formulate plans for the implementation of the privatization
activities, and recommend legislation to accomplish the legal
aspects of the privatization of the sector.
Following
nearly two years of effort by the Privatization Committee, the
Government of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi approved legislation (Law
No. 2 of 1998), establishing the Abu Dhabi Water & Electricity
Authority (ADWEA). By virtue of an Emiri Decree issued at the
same time, the Board of Management of ADWEA was formed under the
chairmanship of H.H. Sheikh Diab bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
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