JEDDAH, 25 October 2004 — Moves are under way to increase the number of regions in the Kingdom from 13 to 18 and give more powers to regional governors as part of administrative reforms, the Al-Hayat Arabic daily reported yesterday quoting informed sources.
The Ministerial Committee for Administrative Reforms, chaired by Prince Sultan, second deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, has already completed studies on the issue of new regions and widening the powers of regional governors, the paper said.
Other issues studied by the high power committee include decentralization of decisions, especially while dealing with matters related to citizens and residents, reformation of the judicial system and development of a regional system.
“Every regional governor will have full powers as there will be no need to refer back to the Interior Ministry, except in case of major issues, and this is intended to control the bureaucracy,” the sources said.
As per the new plan, the greater Riyadh region will be divided into three regions — Riyadh, Sudair and Dawadmi, two more regions will be formed in the Northern Province and one new region in the Southern Province. The northern border city of Gurayat is likely to become a new region. The committee has finished studies on the judicial system and has presented its recommendations to the Council of Ministers, the sources said, adding that the Cabinet would endorse the amended system within a few weeks.
The sources expect an announcement on the regional system during or soon after Ramadan after Cabinet endorsement. The regional system was issued in February 1992 as part of a series of political reforms introduced by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd.
The regional system, which has 40 articles, gives regional governorates the powers to preserve security and order, implement Shariah laws and work for the social, economic and administrative development of regions.
Landmark nationwide municipal elections will be held in the Kingdom from Feb. 10 and until April 21 as part of the government’s efforts to enhance participation of citizens in the decision-making process. The elections will be conducted in three phases in order to choose half the members of the 178 municipal councils.
