During the meeting, Jeddah municipality presented its proposals to develop the area in accordance with a royal decree that calls for preparing a comprehensive development plan for east Jeddah.
The meeting discussed prospects of opening new floodwater channels and extending the present ones to avoid a repeat of the Nov. 25 deluge that devastated residential districts located east of the Makkah-Madinah Expressway in Jeddah.
The meeting was attended by Jeddah Mayor Adel Fakieh, Deputy Makkah Gov. Abdul Aziz Al-Khodairy and Makkah Development Authority Secretary Sami Barhameen.
In a decree issued on May 10, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah also asked the Bureau of Control and Investigation to probe individuals responsible for the Jeddah catastrophe that killed more than 120 people and destroyed thousands of homes and vehicles.
An investigating committee was set up by the king after the Nov. 25 disaster and more than 50 municipal and government officials, businessmen and contractors were detained for suspected negligence and corruption relating to drainage and sewage projects, illegal land deals and construction licensing.
"All of the accused in this case are to be referred to the Control and Investigation Board and the Prosecution and Investigation Commission according to the nature of the crime they have been accused of. This should happen after the urgent completion of procedures during criminal investigations," King Abdullah said. The investigating committee examined all projects implemented in Jeddah since 1950 for financial and administrative irregularities and corruption. Committee Chairman Prince Khaled presented a report of its findings to the king in early March.
King Abdullah appointed another committee under the chairmanship of Second Deputy Premier and Interior Minister Prince Naif to recommend and implement necessary measures after studying the investigation committee's report. The king also instructed the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs to extend three floodwater drainage canals to wadis (valleys) in east Jeddah and extend the eastern canal to Sharm Abhor.
King Abdullah also ordered the cancellation of ownership deeds for land situated in floodwater courses and near wadis, and a halt to grants, sales and compensation to the owners. The Ministry of Justice was ordered to issue integrated regulations concerning the documentation of land, including statutes that govern the duties and responsibilities of notaries.
