A source at the Jeddah municipality noted that almost all of its projects have been delayed due to the situation that prevailed after last November’s flood.
The flood resulted in cancellation of work that had been awarded to some contractors, besides the transfer of a number of municipal officials and the relieving of others of their duties. Moreover, some engineers were transferred while others tendered their resignations. In addition to this, 300 employees were let off from work.
Hisham Abideen, assistant undersecretary for construction and projects at the municipality, drew attention to the poor condition of the departments of roads, water, bridges and tunnels.
Abideen, who has been at the helm of affairs at his department for more than four months, said there are currently only two engineers, including himself, at the department. A third engineer has been transferred from the department of bridges and tunnels to the department of lands.
The new mayor of Jeddah should act quickly and personally interfere to reinforce the department with sufficient numbers of engineers and technicians who are indispensable for the prompt implementation of projects. There have been recurrent complaints about an absence of engineers as well as their transfer to other departments, relieving of duty and termination of contracts. How is it possible then to implement these mega projects on time?
To plug a huge gap of working staff, it is essential to appoint at least 100 engineers and replace 488 employees who were dispensed with earlier. There is an obvious shortage of people who can supervise these projects and this may perhaps lead to serious deficiencies in work.
It is also to be noted that some engineers and supervisors are not well experienced. In another sense, this would lead to a delay in the implementation of projects within the stipulated time and subsequent penalties. Hence, quick action is the need of the hour otherwise the department will sink.
It is worthy to note that the municipality’s toll free number 940 to register complaints had received as many as 140 calls in a week. Even then, the department of roads is not taking any action. To whom should we then complain?
