Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal has said SR 2.49 billion ($664 million) worth of development work have been undertaken in the Jamoum governorate this year.
"The government has fulfilled its promises and people are pleased with the level of utilities development in the governorate," Prince Khaled said following a tour of the area yesterday.
While SR 950 million was allocated for Jamoum last year, it has been raised to above SR 2 billion for 146 projects in the city and other towns and villages this year, the prince said.
In his statement, the prince added that all sub-governorates were in need of development, especially in areas where a high level of urban expansion was achieved.
The demands of the public should be met, the prince reiterated.
During his inspection tour in the governorate, the prince laid foundation stones for a number of health, education and utility projects, including a 100-bed hospital to be completed within a two-year period, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The prince also launched police and Civil Defense buildings, in addition to the headquarters of a community development center at a cost of SR 25 million.
He also laid foundation stones for the buildings of a women's university college, a secondary industrial institute and a plot for an urban center of government offices.
The prince was briefed on the progress of the projects under way in the area while chairing a meeting of the Jamoum governorate council.
The council also reviewed municipal projects, including transportation facilities, the relocation of utilities to be laid across roads, the development of unplanned neighborhoods, bridge construction over deep valleys, garden development in various villages, plazas and pedestrian passages, in addition to the asphalting, street lighting and beautification of entry points.
More than SR 579 million for 11 transport projects have been undertaken in the area.
While the third phase of the rain water drainage and flood projects is progressing, the first phase of building construction of a university college for men has been completed and classes will commence in the next academic year, the council informed the prince.
Four school projects have been completed, while the industrial secondary school, which is in its early stage of construction, will be completed in two years.
The National Water Co. has provided water connections to six districts in the city and two villages outside and has launched a two-year project to lay a huge pipeline to transport water from Hada to Jamoum.
Moreover, the governorate's 144 villages have been provided with power connections, the council said.
Arab News
28 April
