MAKKAH, 4 October 2006 — Scuffles broke out between Makkah residents and water-truck drivers at the Al-Abedeya Water Distribution Center after over 150 drivers went on strike at the center on Monday in protest at low wages and other work-related procedures.
Water-truck drivers walked out of the center at sunset leaving citizens and residents unable to get water for their homes. After heated arguments, fights broke out between the residents and some truck drivers. Police teams moved to the location to contain the situation and managed to restore order within a few hours.
Makkah resident Mizher Al-Zahrani was waiting at the distribution center. “I’ve had no water at home for days. The water supply to the neighborhood has been cut for more than a month now,” said Al-Zahrani.
“I was told that the reason behind the strike was that there was a pay disagreement between the water-truck drivers and the officials who are responsible for ensuring tanker-drivers are given water for distribution,” he added.
Al-Zahrani said that he witnessed the drivers driving away from the location in a very provocative way and that they were blowing their horns at people waiting and telling them that they would not get water.
Safi Al-Luhayyani, resident of the Jabal Al-Noor area of Makkah, said that his home has been without water for days. “I saw the official responsible for supplying water preventing trucks from filling water because they play with prices,” said Al-Luhayyani.
“We have two problems now: water shortage and the unruly truck drivers. Officials should work on solving the problem because we have children and sick people at home. We buy water bottles to supply home but until when can we live like this?” he said.
Makkah resident Essam Humaida was angry because his home has been without water for quite sometime now. “People should not pay the price if the water distribution center decides not to deal with water-truck drivers because they play with prices.” Prices exceed SR500 on some occasions.
Speaking about the reason behind the strike, Abdullah Al-Jizani, a driver, said, “The water officials ask drivers to take customers, which is a normal procedure. Many customers, especially those living in mountainous areas, do not fulfill their agreements to pay for the water after delivery. Why are we being forced to take such customers?”
Saudi cities have been facing a severe water crisis lately. According to press reports at least 15 residential districts in Jeddah have been without water for over a month. Many families were without water since the beginning of Ramadan when consumption is usually high.
As the problem continues unabated, Shoura Council Chairman Saleh Bin-Humaid on Monday called upon the members of the council to adopt a proactive approach to the crisis by coming up with ideas and proposals to solve the matter once and for all.
