Shoura Council member Mefleh Al-Rashidi recently suggested the possibility of assigning inspection and control tasks in establishments to specialized technical companies, relieving ministries of such duties.

The suggestion wasn’t discussed during recent session, even though it was scheduled on the council’s agenda.

The Haj, Accommodation and Shoura Services Committee refused to adopt the suggestion because it received a confirmation from the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs that there is a new control system for municipalities.

Al-Rashidi supported his proposal by referring to the recent campaign carried out by Riyadh’s municipalities, which resulted in the closure of hundreds of restaurants and stores for various violations. According to the Shoura member, this was clear evidence that there is a huge fault in the inspection and control system.

The backbone of Al-Rashidi’s proposal is to create private companies that will monitor and control food establishments and stores in the country, with a guarantee that they will fine any violators, since this would mean a bigger income for them. “The aim is to control the market, and government authorities can’t monitor this large number of cases and sectors,” he added.