Prince Khaled, who is also chairman of the executive committee for the development of unplanned districts in Makkah, was addressing a press conference after chairing the committee’s 12th meeting here yesterday.
The governor voiced his regret over the incorrect reports being published by the media about the projects to develop unplanned districts in the region. “I have the pleasure to meet you to correct some false reports being circulated about the project. It is unfortunate that some writers and columnists are commenting on such reports as if they were true ones,” he said.
Prince Khaled drew attention to the malicious campaign being unleashed in the global media aimed at marginalizing everything that the Saudi government is doing for the benefit of citizens. “In this scenario, you, the media persons, must have a great responsibility to highlight the reality about the project. We do not want to do any blowing up (of the issue) but be fair to yourself and to your country,” he said while warning against distorting true pictures and fish in troubled waters.
The governor said Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and Crown Prince Naif, deputy premier and minister of interior, are keen to see the development of unplanned districts in Makkah region a great success. “The project aims at improving the living conditions of all people, including Saudis and foreigners, living in unplanned districts. The project is not restricted to construction of buildings but to improving all realms of public life including social, cultural, economic, health, humanitarian, security and education,” he said.
Prince Khaled reiterated that people in these regions have three choices — either choose alternate housing facility or accept compensation and buy a residence of their own choice or join as a partner in the company, which is developing their region. The governor also disproved media reports indicating that developers of these regions would be owners of housing facilities, and that there is every possibility that these companies would sell the housing units to the residents at unreasonable prices. “These companies, which have 40 percent stake in these projects, are only developers of the projects, while the parent company is fully owned by the government. The infrastructure facilities, which make up 25 percent of the total value of the projects, are being developed by the government,” he said. The governor noted that the funds that are financing the projects are fully owned by the government, and hence the private developers are not in a position to own not more than 30 percent of the value of the projects.
Prince Khaled also highlighted that the committee is taking advantage of all the global experiments in developing unplanned districts. He said yesterday’s meeting was briefed on the progress of the ongoing development projects in three unplanned districts each in Makkah and Jeddah. They are Al-Nokasa, Jabl Al-Sharashif and King Abdul Aziz Road in Makkah and Petromin, Ghulail and Ruwais in Jeddah.
