Municipalities around the Kingdom have come under fire recently due to complaints voiced by citizens who feel that the services provided to them do not meet the required or expected levels. They cited the common example of some cities and provinces, where there are many gardens and parks left without care, and where there are many roads that are not being maintained properly.

Abdullah bin Saad Al-Zaidi, a social researcher, commented on this recent development, saying “The overall performance of the municipalities has severely decreased in recent times, and has not been able to keep pace with the rate of urban development and population growth. Some cities and villages have to wait for years until they receive the authorization to begin a new development scheme, such as the installation of lighting on streets, the paving of roads, and the maintenance of multi-story residential buildings, for example.”

One citizen, Abdul Ghani Al-Qash, said that “municipal services are so poor that one cannot find a decent place to go with one’s family or guests, as there are so many roads that remain interrupted by concrete barriers and debris throughout the year.”

Muhammad bin Nasser, an academic at Jubail University College (JUC) noted that municipality services are divided into three sections: First come the essential services or needs that affect the lives of everyone on a daily basis throughout the year, such as hygiene, a healthy environment, food and water safety, as well as good quality sidewalks, proper asphalt roads and other basic services. Such services should be implemented fully and without any delay or omission.

Of the second section, he said: “This section is necessary to meet the developmental needs that affect the lives of the public on a non-daily basis, such as urban planning, new roads, stadiums, as well as parks and entertainment places.”

He noted that the third section is related to larger projects, including major expansion projects such public transport upgrades, the Two Holy Mosques train, and the new international airports.

“These mega-projects are challenging the government, private, and charitable sectors, and each sector should bear its responsibility as there are some sectors dealing with these projects in a routine way, without realizing their positive economic, social, and environmental effects,” he added.

Dr. Hameed Al-Ahmadi, an academic, declined the link between the underfunding of municipalities and accusations of under-performance, as he said that this kind of justification ignores the huge budgets allocated to the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs.

He said that the solution to these problems is the proper planning, conscious future envisioning, and the correct arranging of priorities to ensure that development keeps pace with population growth.