Abu Dhabi plans to invest more than AED470m ($128m) to develop infrastructure projects in its southern areas.

The projects in Musaffah and Mohammed bin Zayed City include the construction of internal roads, parks, sports courts, reservoirs, irrigation networks and pumping stations, according to Dubai-based publication Gulf News, which cited a municipality announcement.

Internal road projects worth a total of AED200m, including pavements, parking lots, and traffic signs, will be carried out within Mohammed bin Zayed City. A street lighting network and seven electric transformer substations will also be set up in the development. The municipality also plans to expand drainwater networks and build communication, irrigation and power networks.

“The first phase of works began in January 2015, along with the provision of roadworks to 150 plots,” said Musabbah al-Murar, acting general manager at the municipality. ”About 70 per cent has already been finished, and we expect this phase to wrap up by June 2016.”

The government has earmarked AED45m for green spaces and parks schemes in these suburban areas of mainland Abu Dhabi.