MAKKAH, 29 May 2005 — Residents in Makkah are having a blast — and they aren’t happy about it.
Some construction companies seem more like destruction companies when using explosives during the site work on development projects in mountainous areas, raising clouds of dust and rattling cupboards and sometimes cracking the walls of existing homes.
Now residents are calling on the municipality to force the companies to be a little safer — and more respectful for surrounding property — in their dynamite doings.
Residents of Al-Kudwa and Al-Kaaba Mountain in Makkah have hackles raised about the noise and are hacking away from the seemingly perpetual dust clouds the blasts bring. They say some peace and quiet would be like a breath of fresh air, which also is in short supply.
A source from the Makkah Fire Department noted that resident safety is the responsibility of the construction companies, but the warning may be falling on deaf ears — probably because of the number of explosions. Resident Muhammad Asiri said the home front isn’t much fun right now. Work site explosions block roads and damage buildings.
“Officials should estimate the damages done by these companies for not applying safety procedures during work and pay compensation,” Asiri said.
“They never warn residents before they detonate another explosion. We never receive any warning before they start blasting at the work site. These companies should be fined by the municipality and the fire department.”
Some residents complain that the construction companies are not only noisy but messy, too.
“It is because of such companies and the remains they leave behind that there are many snakes and scorpions near residential locations,” said Muhammad Hadi. “I think these companies should pay a bond before they’re granted the approval to work on these locations. The money would be returned to these companies if it was proven that they applied safety procedures and didn’t leave garbage behind.”
He said that many residents are annoyed by the giant machinery that block many neighborhood roads. He hopes municipal or fire department inspectors will pay a visit to the area to witness firsthand the bone-rattling blasts, mountainside dust storms and bulldozer parking lots that were once called roads — and do something about it.
“There is an easy solution to all this, and that is by implementing financial fines on these companies if they decide to break the law,” said Muhammad Al-Qaisi. “They should never be left unaccountable.”
The source at the fire department said the work will be closed down if it appears it is creating a threat to public safety because of improper procedures.
In the meantime, if you plan of visiting Al-Kudwa or Al-Kaaba Mountain, don’t forget your hard hat, hearing protectors and respirator — you’ll have a blast.
