MAKKAH, 15 January — The Makkah Development Authority, at its first meeting held here yesterday, discussed the general development plan for the city as well as the project to develop the courtyards and public utilities around the Grand Mosque. The meeting also set up an executive committee under the chairmanship of Makkah Governor Prince Abdul Majeed.
Prince Abdul Majeed, who presided over the meeting, said the authority would exert all-out efforts to provide the basic and support services required by the holy city. He said communications services would be improved by making use of the latest technology. The new plan also includes the holy sites of Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifa.
Earlier, Makkah Mayor Dr. Fouad Ghazzali briefed the meeting on the activities of the committee for the courtyards and services around the Grand Mosque, the development of the Haram's central region and the structural plan for Makkah. The meeting also discussed the authority's bylaw.
Prince Abdul Majeed lauded Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd and Crown Prince Abdullah, deputy premier and commander of the National Guard, for their desire to make Makkah one of the most beautiful and modern cities in the world. "What ever we do or plan for Makkah we cannot do full justice to this holy city, its people and the pilgrims who flock to it," the governor said.
The executive committee is comprised of Dr. Saleh ibn Humaid, Dr. Ghazzali, Deputy Minister of Public Works and Housing Dr. Habib Zain Al-Abidine and Abdullah ibn Dawood Al-Fayez, undersecretary at the governorate. It will hold its first meeting tomorrow.
Prince Abdul Majeed said the committee would make use of expertise of others to set out an organizational structure for the authority and establish an office for planning and organization.
Speaking to reporters, the governor said he would make use of his experience in supervising development projects in Madinah when he was governor of the region, in the development of Makkah. "I will exert all-out effort in the service of Makkah in the light of my experience in Madinah, making use of the positive aspects and avoiding the negative ones."
He said the authority would work for the development of Makkah in all areas on the basis of judicious planning. "We'll work out a plan for developing Makkah over a 50-year-period and hand over this mission to those who come after us," the prince said.
He appreciated the unlimited support extended by King Fahd and Prince Abdullah to the authority. He disclosed that the Jebal Omar housing project in Makkah had been brought under the authority.
Prince Abdul Majeed said he believed that the Laith coastal road project, which is under implementation, would receive a big boost under the current budget.
