AHAD RAFIDAH — People of Ahad Rafidah in southern Saudi Arabia have been campaigning for years to have essential government departments to provide passport, residency, social insurance and agricultural services in the city but their demands have so far remained unfulfilled due to bureaucratic obstacles. Ahad Rafidah deserves to have offices of various government departments being one of the biggest governorates in Asir province with a population of more than 100,000. It is a major tourist center that attracts thousands of holidaymakers every year. Mohammed Bin Mastur said their demand to have offices of essential government departments was legitimate given the growing population, expansion of the city, its agricultural development and growing numbers of tourists who visit the city. "We have been awaiting the opening of Civil Status Department office for several years in light of the city's huge population and its strategic position," Mastur told Okaz/Saudi Gazette. "Now the residents of Ahad Rafidah have to travel several kilometers to Khamis Mushayt to complete procedures related to civil status including registration of births and deaths," he said. "This has put additional pressure on the offices in Khamis Mushayt," he added. He said the absence of such government offices in Ahad Rafidah has increased the traffic on Khamis Mushayt Road, increasing congestion and accidents. Abdullah Bin Hussain stressed the need to open a GOSI office in Ahad Rafidah to help social insurance beneficiaries and pensioners receive their benefits without difficulty. "At present elderly people and other social insurance beneficiaries have to travel to Sarat Obaida, located 35 km away, to receive their benefits," he said, and urged GOSI to open a branch in Ahad Rafidah. Nasser Al-Sharief called for the opening of a Passport Department office in the city to track down illegal and undocumented workers as well as to help citizens and residents receive various services such as passport, resident IDs, exit and re-entry visas. Currently its residents have to travel 40 km to receive passport services at the passport office in Khamis Mushayt. Fahd Bin Awada emphasized the need for an agriculture office in Ahad Rafidah, considering the expansion of agricultural activities in its villages. At present, farmers have to visit agricultural offices in Abha or Khamis Mushayt crossing several kilometers to get their matters solved. Abdul Aziz Dahlan spoke about a lack of sports and recreational facilities in the city. "Young men and women require such facilities to spend their free time constructively." He feared that a lack of activities would push the youth to join deviant groups. Many young Saudis spend their spare time now sitting in coffee shops and roadsides. "We call upon the authorities to establish clubs for football and other sports for the benefit of the youth."
