JEDDAH: Jeddah’s water problem seems to be getting more difficult for various reasons. This time it is due to the alleged non-cooperation of the staff of the Water Department.
Last night, as soon as the Eid Al-Fitr announcement was officially made, the staff and supervisors of the department left the scene to celebrate the occasion. With no staff around, fights took place among the water seekers and then arguments broke out between them and the security staff. Soon police emerged on the scene and detained some people, including a couple of mediamen.
“We had all queued up with our allotted serial numbers. Just then someone said the Eid was announced and all the staff left their offices. Nobody was available to take our token numbers and release water trucks,” said one water seeker, who had stood in the queue for three hours.
“Under the circumstances, how does the department expect us to celebrate Eid,” another said. “How can we celebrate when we don’t have water?”
Finally, the crowd melted after the police and the security told them to return in the morning. “Come again at 4 a.m.,” a security guard told them.
