Fahad bin Abdulaziz bin Muammar, governor of Taif, recently announced that around SR16 billion ($4.26 billion) have been allocated for the implementation of 513 infrastructure and service projects in the governorate and affiliated provinces.
The governor disclosed that 159 of these projects were completed, while 288 are currently under construction and another 66 have been approved within the current budget.
Muammar's statements came on the sidelines of Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal four-day visit to Taif in which he inaugurated and inspected a number of projects.
Prince Khaled paid a visit to King Faisal Medical City (KFMC), a 500-bed medical facility. He was also briefed on the final stages of the 300-bed gynecology and obstetrics hospital, which will be in operation within the next two weeks, as well as the designing stages of the 300-bed pediatric hospital in the city.
The governor of Makkah also launched the 18-km long, 60-meter wide King Faisal Road, which is estimated to cost SR 1.4 billion. In addition, he launched the flood disposal projects in the city and inspected the newly expanded Gardens Road, which required SR 31.5 million.
Commenting on the projects completed in the education sector, Muammar said that the Taif Governorate has signed 199 projects of which 100 were completed, 76 under construction and 23 have been approved within the current budget at a total cost of SR 2.9 billion. Regarding higher education facilities, eight projects have been completed, 32 are being developed and another three have been incorporated within the current budget, with costs reaching SR 3.12 billion, he added.
Moreover, work is underway at five technological projects at a cost of SR 240.15 million. Meanwhile, SR 1.69 billion has been allocated for the construction of 66 educational institutions throughout the governorate, he said.
Some 33 water projects were approved at an overall cost of 2.27 billion, while 11 were completed, 14 remain under construction and with construction work commencing on another eight projects in the months to come.
Road projects captured a big share of the budget allocated for the Taif Governorate standing at a total of SR 1.89 billion for 89 projects, the governor revealed.
Muammar said eight power projects were approved in the current budget at a cost of SR 1.28 billion.
Regarding health care projects, he disclosed that 16 facilities have been completed from the originally planned 36 projects, with an allocated budget of SR 2.19 billion for this sector.
On the aviation front, three out of five projects have been finalized at an estimated cost of SR 1.76 million, while SR 188.83 million was set aside for 23 endowments projects, he said.
On the other hand, funds allocated for municipal services and projects in the Taif Governorate and affiliated provinces stand at SR 1.06 billion.
Earlier, Prince Khaled was briefed on the King Abdullah Park Project, which is being constructed on an area of 150,000 square meters. The project is equipped with a variety of entertainment and service facilities, in addition to open areas especially designed for occasions and festivals.
Arab News
3 April
