Monday 13th February 2012
The Fujairah Tourism and Antiquities Authority (FTAA) signed, yesterday, a contract of agreement with the ‘Decapolis’ Company for Restoration & Maintenance, from Jordan, to undertake a comprehensive and integrated study of the rehabilitation and development of the old city of Fujairah.
Signing the agreement on behalf of the two parties (pictured) were: Ahmed Khalifa Al-Shamsi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of FTAA, and Engineer Marwan Saeed Al-Zubaidi, Director- and Owner- of the ‘Decapolis’ Company for Restoration & Maintenance. 
Also present during the signing ceremony were: Saeed Al-Samahi, Director of the FTAA, Dr. Nadhir Abu Obeid, Dean of the Faculty of Architecture and Design at the University of Science & Technology of Jordan and Prof. Dr. Ziad Al-Saad, General Supervisor and Project Consultant.
The Decapolis Company will provide all design, consultancy, necessary studies and the technical supervision of architectural and cultural features of the planned maintenance, rehabilitation and development of the old city of Fujairah.
The reconstruction study for the site will be -in effect- a complete structural master plan of the historical city of Fujairah incorporating building of archaeological and heritage museums, a new headquarters for the FTAA, a traditional popular market and a main entrance- in proportion- and in harmony with the nature of the city's heritage.
In addition the contracted Jordanian company will conduct a comprehensive survey of the project site using sophisticated equipment, to record all architectural elements on the site, along with other studies necessary to evaluate the site.
Ahmed Khalifa Al-Shamsi said: “The FTAA will facilitate the task of the contractor by providing the company with all required data and information and arranging meetings with researchers and specialists in archaeological affairs in the Emirate of Fujairah for the exchange of information and experiences and assistance of all elements of this project.”
He added: “This project represents the birth of new development projects of other ancient sites in the Emirate of Fujairah, which will include the Bidiya mosque, and the forts of Al-Hail, Al-Bithna, Masafi and Ouhala, which would make the Emirate of Fujairah a unique destination, offering the most ancient sites in the history of Emirati civilization.”
Dr. Ziad Al-Saad, General Supervisor and consultant for the project said: “The village of old Fujairah is distinctive and different, in terms of form and life history, and all we need to do is to turn it from a silent static village to a historic site teeming with life.”
The study project is due to be completed in eight months time, according to the signed agreement.
*Staff and press release.
