He said the municipality has drawn up its specifications and
conditions and begun short-listing construction companies hoping to win the
contract for the project.
“We will formulate a schedule for the implementation of the
projects under a master plan in coordination with the Ministry of Finance,” he
said.
Abu Ras said the protection of Jeddah has been one of his
priorities since he took over from Adel Fakieh, who became Minister of Labor.
“With the completion of the master plan, there will be an
integrated network of projects that will radically rid the city of any upcoming
danger as a result of rains and floods,” he said.
The mayor said the municipality has other projects to drain
rain and underground water in a number of districts in east Jeddah, which was
most affected by heavy rains and floods in November 2009.
He revealed that the municipality has withdrawn three
projects from contractors due to slow progress and awarded them to other
contractors.
“Contractors who fail to complete projects on time will not
be allowed to bid for future projects,” he threatened.
Abu Ras denied that the municipality had stopped all
services to east Jeddah. “We have permitted some services and stopped others,”
he said.
He said finances of SR652 million have been approved for the
development of the city, implemented by the Jeddah Development and Urban
Regeneration Company, a public company owned by the municipality. “We have
already received SR200 million,” he said.
