Al Ajmani is one of the pioneer UAE nationals who joint the water and electricity sector in its early years an witnessed its development step by step under the leadership of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Al Ajmani recalls those days with great nostalgia, passion and enthusiasm.
Job ;
My name is Mubarek Al Ajmani I was born in 1941 and I was a part of employees of ADMA company in Das Island. In May 5, 1969, acting on the orders of Sheikh Khalifah bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, then Chairman of Water and Electricity Department (WED) we moved to Abu Dhabi to join MED. I worked as turbine operator at Abu Dhabi power plant, which was at the current location of Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority (ADWEA) headquarters, for just AED800.
Work environment ;
We were working in very difficult conditions the weather was hot and we were working in shifts, starting from 07:00AM to 03:00PM, from 03:00PM to 11:00PM and from 11:00PM to 07:00AM and doing our best to realize Sheikh Zayed’s directives to provide Abu Dhabi residency with water and electricity supplies without interruption.
Permanent job ;
In January 1, 1971, Sheikh Khalifah bin Mohammed, acting on the directives of Sheikh Zayed, offered us permanent jobs for AED 8000 salary which was quiet enough to raise my family at that time.
Training; The late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan was very eager to providing UAE nationals with education and training abroad to hone their skills in English language and water and electricity professions thus I got the opportunity to visit Germany, Italy, Sweden and Scotland. In 1974 I was sent to attend a training course in gas turbine operation and maintenance with John Brown Company, Scotland.
Ramadan;
Ramadan happened to take place during the six-month training course and it was very difficult for me to attend it away from my family and decided to go back after three months only. Precision Equipment; In Abu Dhabi I was transferred first to the Distiller Department at Mina water and power station, in Zayed Port area, then to the Precision Equipment Department in which I was promoted to the post of head of department until the plant was closed down.
Sheikh Zayed;
Al Ajmani said; “the late Sheikh Zayed used to visit all work sites to make sure that everything is going well and that everybody is doing his duties well and was very encouraging to us to work hard”.
Personalities;
“I was impressed with a large number of personalities during my career with WED, namely the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Sheikh Suroor bin Mohammed Al Nhayan, Shabeeb Al Dhahiri, Saeed Ateeq and Sheibah Khamees Al Dhahiri”.
Hobbies;
Most of Al Ajmani’s time is divided between his family and his farm and he said; “I enjoy spending time with my family and in my farm where I feel very comfortable”.
Healthy life;
Al Ajmani loves planting fruits trees and vegetables in his home garden because; “ I like eating fresh fruits and vegetables free of chemical fertilizers and pesticides which are very harmful to our health”.
Family;
Al Ajmani has eight sons and three daughters and a number of grandsons and granddaughters.
A word;
What do you like to say to those who are working in the water and electricity sector in Abu Dhabi today; “ I call upon them to work very hard for their country as we have been doing, under the leadership of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, during its formation years until it become today one of the highly developed country worldwide”.
