JEDDAH, 17 March 2006 — Eighty-two housing units with seven rooms each will be built shortly for the poor in Muzahamiya under the auspices of the Prince Salman Charitable Housing Project.
Riyadh Governor Prince Salman laid the foundation stone for the project on Wednesday and donated SR2 million to the charity on his and his sons’ behalf, the Saudi Press Agency reported yesterday.
The Prince Salman Project has already carried out four housing schemes in Sultana, Badeea and Jeradiya, according to Abdul Aziz Al-Masoud, assistant secretary-general of the project. Covering an area of 36,000 square meters, the Muzahamiya project will include community centers for men and women, a mosque and a shopping center.
In his opening address, Prince Salman called upon businessmen and philanthropists to support charitable projects. He asked them to donate generously to this project, which is aimed at providing decent housing for poor families.
“We can assure those who donate to the project that they are putting the money in the safe hands,” the governor told the ceremony which was attended by a large number of businessmen.
Prince Salman commended Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah for promoting charitable housing projects across the country.
The King Abdullah Charitable Housing Foundation has established 2,200 housing units in various parts of the Kingdom at a total cost of SR500 million.
During the ceremony in Muzahamiya, donations worth SR15 million were raised in cash and SR10 million in kind.
Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh spoke on the occasion, emphasizing the importance of extending generous contributions to the charitable housing project for the poor.
In another development, Prince Salman chaired a meeting of the higher committee for the development of Daraeya and approved the development plan.
Abdullatif Al-Asheikh, a member of the Riyadh Development Authority, said the first phase of the project would cost SR350 million. The project aims at developing the historical region of Daraeya into a cultural city and a tourist center. “The project will make Daraeya one of the world-class heritage cities,” Al-Asheikh said.
He said the project would be completed within three years. In the first year, infrastructure facilities such as roads, water and sewage network and electricity will be ready.
The first phase will include establishment of Daraeya museum, renovation of Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Mosque, renovation of mud-houses and establishment of Daraeya history documentation center and a traditional market.
A number of investment projects will be completed during the first phase including heritage hotels and restaurants, fast-food shops, residential flats and a health club.
The higher committee approved the final executive plan for the development of Daraeya and instructed authorities to prepare construction and engineering plans and designs for the first phase.
The plan to develop Daraeya comes as part of the government’s efforts to promote domestic tourism. Efforts are also under way to develop Thumama Resort, northeast of Riyadh, as a major tourist center by implementing projects worth SR2.5 billion.
Covering an area of 370 square kilometers, the resort will be developed with the support of the private sector.
The Riyadh Development Authority has conducted a study on possible investment opportunities in the area.
The projects include King Khaled Wildlife Research Center and Saudi Aviation Club as well as a museum, a safari park, cable cars, desert camps, and center for adventures.
