Abu Dhabi's Critical National Infrastructure Authority (CNIA) has announced that it will extend its operations across the UAE.

Gulf News reports that the announcement came following the opening of a new training school in the capital by Lieutenant General Shaikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, deputy prime minister and minister of interior affairs.

"We are waiting for the higher authorities to give us an order to take over other facilities across the UAE," said Brigadier Shaikh Ahmad Bin Tahnoun, chairman of CNIA, although a timeframe for the expansion was not confirmed.

He added that the goal of the new training school was to develop local skills and expertise without needing to send CNIA employees abroad for training.

Last year, the organisation launched an awareness campaign to improve safety standards among all participants in the maritime industry, including the oil and gas sector, while also raising awareness among tourists and locals.

Oil and Gas Directory: Training and Development