JEDDAH, 18 October 2005 — Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah yesterday urged regional governors to exert greater efforts to meet the requirements of citizens. He also said that the regional consultative councils must ensure participation of citizens in the decision-making process.
"The governors must establish contacts with citizens and be receptive to their opinions, applications and complaints," the king said while presiding over the weekly Council of Ministers at Al-Salam Palace here.
The Cabinet approved the establishment of the National Committee on Children with the minister of education as its chairman. The 10-member committee including deputy ministers of five ministries will propose general state policies and strategic plans to care for children.
The meeting denounced the Israeli atrocities against the Palestinians and urged the international community to stop Israel's state terrorism. It also hoped that Iraq would restore its security and stability and territorial integrity to play an effective role in the comity of nations.
On the occasion of the World Food Day, which was marked on Oct. 16, King Abdullah commended the role being played by Saudi farmers to achieve food security and urged the farmers to use modern irrigation systems to reduce consumption of water.
The meeting also approved the unified system for the management of medical waste in the GCC states. According to the system, violators will be fined not more than SR100,000 or jailed for not more than six months or both. The punishment includes temporary closure of the facility for not more than 60 days and withdrawal of license.
