year plan worth SR278 billion has been laid out by 17,000 officials from government agencies in the region, defining projects needed until the year 2020, and the plan is being assessed by the citizens, Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Emir of Makkah Region, said Friday in a televised interview on Saudi TV Channel 1. Prince Khaled stressed the importance of changing the old concept of work culture, which he said is engulfed and characterized by confidentiality. “That era is over”, Prince Khaled said. “It is hundred times better to expose mistakes that accompanied the faltering projects,” he said. “It is better to speak about faltering projects than to speak about successful ones. We need to refer to the failed projects in order to overcome the problems. “We are now living in an open world distinguished by the rapid dissemination of information, which we may accept and comment on. There is a fierce attack on the Kingdom from all parts of the world and it is marginalizing efforts being exerted for citizens or in the interest of the country.” These attacks, the Emir said, are not met with defense and response at the local or international levels. If any misinformation about the Kingdom is disseminated without it being addressed in 24 hours, the world considers it as true, Prince Khaled said. He said he was not concerned that some projects had faltered because he determines deficiencies. The Emir pointed out that reports he has compiled address the causes including the weak potential of some executing companies, awarding contracts to unqualified subcontractors and a lack of supervision. “Now we know the causes that should be handled,” he said. “Prince Naif Bin Abdul Aziz, Second Deputy Premier and Interior Minister, stressed the importance of avoiding these mistakes. It is wonderful that such directives come from Prince Naif. I'm sure by now all the concerned heads of department have received these directives.” He said the emirate is working on huge projects that will protect Jeddah from the floods that hit it for two consecutive years, pointing out that King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, has given orders to carry out these projects urgently. These projects should be finished before the next rainy season, Prince Khaled said. He excluded the possibility that the Kingdom will suffer from social upheaval when it transforms from one to another cultural stage because of the religious deterrence, which serves as a safety valve against any upheaval or shock. He also expressed his confidence that the country's youth will never be affected by any foreign changes because of their strong adherence to the genuine Islamic teachings. Prince Khaled said the Saudi youth have set a good example in volunteer work, which reflects their high sense of responsibility, a matter that prompted him to ask the Ministry of Social Work to set up a special society for the volunteers of Makkah youth. The go-ahead has been given and its administrative body has already been established. __
