TABUK — Municipal Council officials and citizens in Tabuk have called upon authorities to take immediate steps to make use of old government buildings in the region, either by renovating them for the benefit of citizens or selling them to the private sector to carry out investment projects. "Many government buildings have been abandoned after the offices shifted to new buildings," said Sultan Al-Tuwailaee, a member of the Tabuk Municipal Council. "These buildings remain unused due to bureaucratic procedures," he told Okaz/Saudi Gazette. However, he pointed out that the education and municipality sectors have showed flexibility in making use of these buildings. "We'll present a study on how to make use of them, especially for the benefit of citizens and secondly to utilize them commercially with private sector support." Sultan Al-Atwi asked authorities to give the reasons that prevent them from making use of abandoned government buildings such as offices of the governorate, municipality, rehabilitation center, public schools and vocational institute, which have moved to new facilities. Al-Atwi added: "We have to make use of these old buildings through investment." Zaid Hamid Al-Kuwaikibi, a Saudi, also stressed the need to make use of the growing number of abandoned government buildings in the region. "This is an embarrassing phenomenon and will tarnish the image of Tabuk," he said adding the old districts like Khalediya lacked street lights. Mohammed Al-Shulail urged authorities to conduct a feasibility study on how to make use of these abandoned government buildings and facilities. He expressed fears that thieves, saboteurs and other anti-social elements could make use of these buildings as their hideouts. Abdul Hakeem Lafi also joined the call to make use of the old buildings after renovation for various purposes including as shelter homes during emergency situations. Talal Al-Shaman has a different opinion. "We can use these buildings as community centers for capacity building of our youth." Nasser Al-Anazi, educational supervisor, hinted at the crux of the problem. "The decision on how to make use of these abandoned buildings is taken by not a single body but a number of government agencies," he added. Al-Anazi stressed the need to take a quick decision by relevant government agencies on the issue after consulting one another. There is a possibility of using the education department's old building to train highly skilled students and develop their various capabilities, he said.
