JEDDAH, 24 March 2003 — Interior Minister Prince Naif yesterday emphasized the importance of expanding first aid services in the Kingdom and urged businessmen to open advanced first aid centers across the country.
Addressing students and teachers of King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals in Dhahran on Saturday night, the prince also said the Kingdom’s security was not at all affected by the US-led war on Iraq.
He said there was no need to suspend classes or work. “Security all over the Kingdom is in good order and there is nothing to worry about,” he added.
“We hope this tragedy (war on Iraq) will end shortly,” he said.
He favored the idea of training Saudis on how to provide first aid to road accident victims. “Such programs are very important for Saudis and their families,” he said and called for joint efforts to cut the number of traffic accidents.
The minister said first aid services could be expanded through private firms, keeping them available at city entrances and main streets, supported by aircraft and speedy vehicles and emergency first aid centers.
“As we are heading toward privatization, I believe that we could achieve comprehensive progress in the first aid sector, covering all cities,” the prince said and hoped that it would be realized shortly. “It offers good investment opportunities for businessmen,” he added.
Prince Naif called upon Saudis to abide by traffic regulations for the safety of all road users. “We will apply the law on all violators immediately without showing any leniency,” he said.
Prince Naif urged parents and teachers to enhance traffic awareness among children and students. “Traffic accidents are more dangerous than many diseases,” he pointed out.
Prince Naif, who is chairman of the Manpower Council, estimated the Kingdom’s unemployment rate at eight percent and highlighted the efforts of the government and private agencies to train and employ Saudis.
He pointed out that the Prince Mohammed ibn Fahd Employment Program in the Eastern Province was instrumental in providing employment to 10,027 Saudi men and women. The project conducted 50 training courses for men and 17 for women.
Asked about the rate of crime in the Kingdom, the interior minister said it was very small compared to many other countries. He said the government will allow refugees from Kuwait to enter the Kingdom on condition they leave the country immediately.
