JEDDAH, 5 June — Makkah Governor Prince Abdul Majeed has said that he is aware of difficulties faced by the people of Jeddah because the city lacks a proper sewage system.
Speaking to Al-Watan newspaper, Prince Abdul Majeed said: “Only 10 percent of Jeddah is connected to the sewage network and only 30 percent of the city’s population benefits from it.”
The prince also warned about the huge problem facing the city, which has been compounded by the rapidly deteriorating efficiency of the time-worn and outdated sewage pipelines.
“We recognize that we are facing a real problem which calls for radical solution... Over 1,000 trucks are currently operating with hardly any supervision to pump away 50,000 cubic meters of sewage daily. They dump it at a location in the east of the express way,” the prince said.
“Citizens are burdened with an average of SR6 for the removal of every cubic meter of sewage. Even this is not uniform,” he added.
The prince also discussed problems faced by Makkah and Taif cities. He has undertaken several projects in the holy sites such as the modern slaughter house at Al-Muaisim and the abattoir at Mina with a capacity to slaughter 500,000 sacrificial animals in three days. Huge water reservoirs at Muzdalifa and extensions of the water network system to Arafat feature among his achievements.
He has, moreover, been striving to curb pilgrims’ tendency to sleep and live on the sides of roads during the Haj season. Several studies have been conducted to find an effective solution for this unhealthy practice.
The prince also encouraged all who worked for the service of the pilgrims. He assured the workers that this was a happy opportunity in which the people and the government joined hands.
Notable improvements in last year’s Haj were reduced traffic congestion at the holy sites and increased supply of food and water as well as better security and health coverage, the newspaper said.
Meanwhile, Prince Abdul Majeed yesterday opened the Dar Al-Aman building for women that belongs to the Women’s Charitable Society in Jeddah. The function was attended by Labor and Social Affairs Minister Dr. Ali Al-Namlah.
Addressing the opening ceremony, the governor said the project reflected the solidarity among the members of society. He visited the facilities inside the building, including medical clinics, a naturopathic treatment section, a health club, a recreation center and conference halls.
The charitable society takes care of more than 4,500 poor families and 60 orphans. It is the first women's society in the Kingdom that cares for women from childhood until old age.
