11 April 2009

JEDDAH: Steps are currently under way to make Makkah the world’s most advanced city, said Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Al-Eqtisadiah newspaper reported yesterday.

“A comprehensive study has been launched with the participation of Saudi and international experts, including those from the United Nations, to develop Makkah into the most beautiful and advanced city of the world by employing latest communication and transportation techniques,” said Prince Khaled.

The prince was speaking at an annual meeting that discussed the execution of a strategy for the development of the region at Dar Al-Hekma College in Jeddah on Thursday.

“As you know, the Makkah region and its people have launched a strategy — unprecedented in its nature — to develop the region. I have been honored to be entrusted with the task of serving the Makkah region after getting royal approval,” he said.

“I undertook the task of devising a strategy with people’s cooperation to develop Makkah on the basis of the government’s five-year plan,” he added.

The prince noted with satisfaction that many issues affecting Jeddah, such as water shortage, garbage problem, unplanned housing and congestion at the King Abdul Aziz International Airport have been solved.

“I remember, when I took charge as the governor of the province, people used to say water was the most serious issue. Now the issue has been tackled successfully with the introduction of two floating desalination plants and the commissioning of the Al-Shuaiba desalination project, which supplies water to Makkah, Jeddah and Taif,” Prince Khaled said.

The problem of environmental pollution caused by frequent fires at garbage dumping centers has been solved with proper monitoring of such locations and the adoption of safety measures. Another major issue was congestion at King Abdul Aziz International Airport, particularly during the peak season. “That problem has also been solved to a great extent and would be solved for good with the completion of the airport expansion project in 2012,” the governor said.

Another problem in the region is the presence of illegal people, said the governor, adding that several steps are being taken to overcome it.

“It would be a great achievement if the problem is solved as such issues remain unresolved in most countries,” he said. “This is not a problem faced by Saudi Arabia alone. Other countries also face similar problems and they have not found solutions to it,” he said.

In his speech, Prince Khaled also disclosed his intention to set up a management academy to train administrators and youths in administration for managing huge projects.