Arab News December 31, 2009 Muhammad Humaidan
JEDDAH: Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal on Wednesday announced plans to develop the residential districts east of Jeddah on the basis of a comprehensive scheme.
Speaking to reporters after inspecting efforts to rehabilitate people in the flood-hit districts, he emphasized the need for drastic measures in order to prevent flooding in the future. He confirmed reports that some government officials and contractors had been detained for questioning, adding that some of them would be released soon. He said the committee in charge of investigating the reasons for the Nov. 25 floods in Jeddah would present its report to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah. “Our duty is to collect all facts related to the incident and the king will make the final decision based on our report,” the governor said.
“We'll inform the king of the development projects required in the Makkah region in order to avoid such catastrophes in the future and you know how keen the king is when it comes to meeting the requirements of citizens,” the governor said. He said the government departments’ handling of the catastrophe was “excellent” after the issuance of the royal decree.
“We are, with the support of God, trying our best to solve all problems facing Jeddah residents. We don’t know what will happen in the future,” the governor said. He said the reports and files which the committee had gone through during the investigation would help them make speedy decisions. “There will be a full-fledged plan for all districts east of Jeddah,” he said.
Prince Khaled, who was accompanied by Jeddah Gov. Prince Mishaal bin Majed and Mayor Adel Fakieh, said he had been given the mandate by the king and the crown prince to correct the mistakes made in Jeddah. He said the projects to develop east Jeddah would begin soon after receiving the king's endorsement, adding that new development projects in the area would be carried out as quickly as possible. “We'll also study the issue of dams with the municipality and the Water Ministry and there will be a complete program for dams in order to protect Jeddah,” he said, allaying public concerns about the sewage lake. The governor urged all government departments to carry out their projects quickly and without delay. He described the emergency projects implemented by the municipality after the Jeddah floods as “tranquilizers.” He said radical solutions were required in order to prevent flooding in Jeddah and other parts of the province. For radical solutions, long-term projects are needed. He spoke about disorganized districts in the east of Jeddah, adding that some buildings in the area had been constructed without government consent. “All districts in the area will be reviewed in order to set out a complete plan for them,” Prince Khaled said, adding that the plan would include rainwater and sewage drainage systems.
He also emphasized the need to monitor the implementation of all projects. “Monitoring regimes will be intensified following the Jeddah catastrophe,” he said.
Referring to the payment of SR1 million compensation to the families of flood victims, he said, “We are in contact with the Finance Ministry in order to pay the amount quickly to the beneficiaries.” He said authorities had not yet decided whether to remove or keep the buildings constructed in wadis and in the pathways of floods.
“Correcting mistakes in existing projects is more difficult than starting new projects from zero,” he pointed out. He said the government would not allow encroachment of its lands.