“Let there be light” was the refrain of tourists and residents of Jeddah’s northern Corniche.

People who flock to the Corniche have been complaining about lack of light in the children’s play areas and picnic spots, forcing them to leave the beach as soon as darkness descends.

“Darkness has ruined the joy of our children, who like to spend the Eid holidays next to the sea,” Hussein Basalamah said, adding: “I took my family to the seaside to have a barbecue, but we were surprised to find the area was not lit.”

Wondering about the supervisory role of the Saudi Electric Company (SEC) over public facilities and parks, he said: “Where are the millions that were spent to develop the Corniche.”

Walid Mahfouz, another enthusiast, said this was not the first time that lights were out on the seaside.

Abbullah Shaher, who came to Jeddah from Abha with his family, was surprised to find some places in total darkness. Shaher wondered about the municipality and the Electric Company’s role in maintaining picnic areas, lamenting that the SEC was responsible for ruining Eid festivities on Jeddah’s Corniche.