BAHA, 25 July 2006 — Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah arrived in Baha yesterday afternoon and is scheduled to lay the foundation stones of a number of development projects today, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Later in the evening, King Abdullah attended a reception hosted by the people of Baha. The reception at the city’s King Saud Sports Stadium was attended by Baha Governor Prince Muhammad ibn Saud.
The SR2-billion worth of projects that are to be unveiled today include roads, water projects, educational establishments, a general hospital and 43 primary health centers.
Health Minister Hamad Al-Manie said the proposed SR120-million General Hospital in Baljurshi would cover a total area of 70,000 square meters. Besides administrative and registration wings, the three-story hospital will have maternity and neonatal wards, a physiotherapy clinic, a blood bank and emergency wards.
The SR516-million educational projects being opened by the king include a university, a technical college and vocational training institutes for men and women.
In a statement to SPA, Labor Minister Ghazi Al-Gosaibi said the Baha Technical College would be constructed on an area of 600,000 square meters at an estimated cost of SR95 million. The other projects under the Labor Ministry include a technical college in Al-Qelwah costing SR95 million, a SR72-million higher technical institute for women, and a number of vocational training institutes
Water and Electricity Minister Abdullah Al-Hussayen said the SR325-million water projects, which are to be launched by the king today, includes 20 wells to be dug at a location 90 km from Baha. The project includes 81-km pipeline with several pumping stations and an 11,800-cubic-meter water tank.
Transport Minister Jabara Al-Seraisry said the king would lay the foundation stones for a two-lane Mikhwa road and the 50-km Baha-Bisha road that will provide direct access from Baha to the Riyadh highway cutting the distance to the capital by about 300 kilometers.
