“The development will be balanced in all major and small regions as well as in cities, towns and villages, and there would not be any priority for the cities at the expense of towns and villages. Similarly, there is a full swing in implementing development projects in both cities and villages, in a way ensuring equality to all,” he said while highlighting that a project should not be delayed simply because it is in a village or speeded up just because it is in a major city.
The governor was speaking to reporters after his inspection tour of Al-Kamil and Khulais regions in the province. He said that these regions are witnessing implementation of several development projects that are estimated to cost a total of more than SR800 million.
Prince Khaled said the Saudi leaders are keen to implement development projects in the best possible manner in accordance with well-designed scientific plans and in a way addressing all the problems involved in their execution.
Referring to the delay in execution of projects, he said there is no country in the world which has solved the problem of delayed projects. “As long as there are projects, there would be delays in their implementation. But the important thing is we have to explore the causes of delay and strive to quickly sort them out,” he said.
Prince Khaled said he reviewed the progress of implementing the development projects during his meeting with the officials of both regions. He presided over the meeting of the local councils in Al-Kamil and Khulais during which he listened to the demands of the people in the regions and promised them solution. “The people of these regions presented several demands, and we asked the local councils to carry out studies on them prior to submitting to the provincial council. We will allocate funds for the projects in due course,” he said. The governor also met with dignitaries, including tribal chiefs.
While chairing the Al-Kamil local council, Prince Khaled watched a video show featuring implementation of five major municipal projects in the region. These included beautification of the city gates, asphalting of roads, construction of a drainage network, setting up of four health centers and construction of some school buildings. The video also shed light on the projects at the Al-Kamil branch of King Abdulaziz University. There are 25 municipal projects under various phases of implementation in the region.
The people of Al-Kamil urged the governor to solve their acute problem of drinking water by establishing a treatment plant at Al-Marwani dam. They also wanted a long-time solution to the problem by transportation of desalinated water from the Rabigh plant. Their demands also included the doubling of the main road linking Al-Kamil with Osfan, in addition to establishing a sports club, Civil Defense centers and police stations in the major districts, connecting the region with neighboring Khulais with an asphalted road, establishment of branch municipalities, chamber offices and the expansion of Al-Kamil Hospital to 100 beds.
During his visit to Al-Kamil last year, Prince Khaled ordered the construction of four buildings for King Abdulaziz University in the region at a cost of SR 70 million consisting of three hostels for girls and a hostel for boys. A total of 149 girl students have joined the university when the courses commenced in the beginning of the current academic year.
The people of Khulais presented a number of demands to the governor when he attended the local council meeting and later during his meeting with senior officials and residents in the region. Their demands included development of the underdeveloped areas, supplying the region with greater quantities of desalinated water, establishing a sewerage network, construction of a public park, gardens, playgrounds, irrigation networks and a bridge across Wadi Gharan.
