Dubai officials sacked after Sheikh finds empty desks in surprise inspection

Published September 1st, 2016 - 07:00 GMT
When Sheikh Mohammad paid a surprise visit to senior government officials, he was confronted by a row of empty desks. (Twitter/Dubai Media Office)
When Sheikh Mohammad paid a surprise visit to senior government officials, he was confronted by a row of empty desks. (Twitter/Dubai Media Office)

It was an unfortunate day to be late into the office.

When Dubai’s ruler Mohammad bin Rashid al-Maktoum performed a snap inspection of public offices on Sunday morning, he was confronted by empty desks.

A video of the visit shows him unperturbed, leafing through a pamphlet in an unoccupied office.

If the senior civil servants didn’t notice anything amiss when they turned up to work, they were certainly aware of the visit a day later, when they were removed from their jobs.

At least nine high ranking officials were politely thanked for their contribution to development of the city but told in no uncertain terms that that “the country needs new, young officers to provide high quality services to citizens.”

Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rahid Al Maktoum started his tour at 7:30 and visited Dubai Municipality, the Dubai Land Department (DED) and Dubai International Airport.

Local media also published a visit to the city’s international at the airport surprise. This time employees and officials were found all in place.

According to Mona al-Marri, the press spokesman of the city of Dubai, the video and the message of Sheikh are a clear message to all the most important officials in the country who have a duty to lead by example. “Whoever has important positions must demonstrate reliability and punctuality,” she explained to the local newspapers. “You cannot criticize employees when those who should control them are not in their place”.
 
According to Al Bawaba Arabic everyone had expected that the Sheikh would visit schools, as last Sunday was the first day of the week. Instead he visited government offices.
 
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