JEDDAH, 6 March 2005 — Residents of the Al-Samer and Al-Rehab neighborhoods are getting ready to breathe a sigh of relief and some fresh air now that the animal market is moving, but businessmen happy with the existing location think the decision to move the market stinks.

Animal market businessmen are asking Jeddah Municipality to postpone the decision to move the market from its present location east of the Makkah Expressway to Al-Khomra, south of Jeddah.

In an interview with Arab News, Ahmad Al-Ghamdi, deputy manager of municipal public relations office, said the businesses have two weeks to vacate the current location and move to the market. As of yesterday, the municipality is cutting off electricity at the current market.

Al-Ghamdi said if after that time any businesses remain, Jeddah police along with municipal and governorate officials will oust them from the old market.

Businessmen claim the new location is unhealthy and polluted. Some say they will make a stand against the decision and refuse to move, contending that the 55-kilometer distance from Jeddah will drastically reduce their sales.

Al-Ghamdi said that a special committee formed by the Health Ministry issued a report stating the new area is free of pollution. Furthermore, the municipality has initiated an insect-control contract with a private company to ensure the best possible conditions at the new site.

Al-Ghamdi said the businessmen must accept the decision and realize it is benefiting them rather than penalizing them. The new location is fully equipped and far from residential areas. Residents of the Al-Samer and Al-Rehab neighborhoods had voiced many complaints about the existing marketplace.

The move is bringing sighs of relief from nearby residents happy to be rid of the often-malodorous market, with some predicting real-estate values in the area will increase with its absence.

Some frequent customers, however, agree with the businessmen that the 55-kilometer distance is just too far from town.

“I can’t travel 55 kilometers going and coming to buy meat,” said market customer Abu Omar. “By the time I get back, the meat will be rotten.”