JEDDAH, 24 May 2003 — A new sewage treatment plant will be established here shortly as part of efforts to solve the escalating sewage problem in the city.
Water and Electricity Minister Dr. Ghazi Al-Gosaibi said the plant would treat 250,000 cubic meters of water in the first phase and 500,000 cubic meters in the final phase.
Crown Prince Abdullah, deputy premier and commander of the National Guard, has already approved the project.
Gosaibi noted the role played by Prince Sultan, second deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, in reducing the cost of the project from SR1 billion to SR200 million.
Prince Sultan allocated a plot of land south of King Abdul Aziz International Airport for the plant. “This royal gesture helped save SR800 million,” the minister said, adding that the amount would be used for other water projects.
Gosaibi said that his ministry would soon hand over the land to the contractor for implementation, adding that the plant would treat sewage water from north Jeddah in the first phase. “The plant will use the latest technology in sewage treatment, and the treated water could be utilized for the irrigation of gardens and agricultural purposes,” the minister said.
The general plan for the Jeddah sewage network is ready at the ministry, he said, adding that tenders had been invited for 20 sewage projects for areas in the city that face particularly severe sewage problems.
He reiterated the ministry’s determination to solve the sewage problem in the city as early as possible. “These are some of the projects we have planned to solve the problem,” Gosaibi said. He hoped that the days of the sewage tankers would end within the next five years.
In a previous statement, Makkah Governor Prince Abdul Majeed estimated that water and sewage projects in Jeddah would need investments of SR20 billion in the next 20 years.
Speaking to reporters after chairing a meeting of the Jeddah Holding Company’s board of directors, the governor said the board had approved a general sewage and water plan for the city.
Jeddah Holding received an official permit from the Commerce Ministry. “This is the first step, which will be followed by concession rights and talks with authorities to execute water and sewage projects in Jeddah,” he said.
Asked about the estimated cost of the projects, he said: “We have not approved any allocations for the projects but we endorsed a high-level plan, and its results are bound to make Jeddah people happy.”
He said the company had discussed the projects with a number of high-tech companies and banks.
