JEDDAH — The municipality fined a businessman for taking over public property for 35 years and setting it up as a souk. A source said there are 182 kiosks and stores in the Al-Bawadi Souk north of Jeddah. "The businessman earned SR210 million from leasing the stores to traders. The municipality recorded the encroachment as a violation and fined the businessman with SR547 million. The businessman encroached on two roads and occupied public land with a total area of 1,824 sq. meters," said the source. "Shop owners complained about a 400 percent increase in rent this year. They said they used to rent a store for SR33,000 but suddenly the businessman raised the rent to SR133,000. The municipality sent eviction notices to shop owners in preparation to clearing the area," said the source. The source said shop owners were notified a week in advance and the municipality already started demolishing the area on Monday. "The shop owners said the municipality shut down 182 stores even though only 62 stores were notified about the decision. The shop owners also said the stores in the souk are licensed by the municipality despite the fact that the property the stores were set up on was encroached," said the source. The source also said over 200 investors reported about the businessman's encroachment to the municipality after he had raised the rent. Al-Bawadi Souk Manager Abdullah Al-Haddash said the municipality has submitted a report containing inaccurate information to Jeddah Governor Prince Mishal Bin Majed. "The municipality granted us the license to operate more than 20 years ago. We have the papers to prove that Al-Bawadi Souk is fully legal. The municipality had cut off electricity and water from the souk for three days and more than 60 stores were razed," said Al-Haddash. He added taht the souk had filed a lawsuit against the municipality for their transgression. Trader Abu Al-Basheer said he worked for a store in the souk for more than 13 years. "I work for a textile and traditional wear shop. We never had a single violation throughout these years. Our license was recently renewed. We were shocked by the sudden news to shut our store down and demolish it. I had already brought fresh supplies. I have done nothing wrong. Why am I being penalized?" said Abu Al-Basheer. Mansour Sultan said he has been working at a store for ready-to-wear clothes for the past 17 years. "I was given an eviction notice only seven days ago. I cannot pack up a decade of work in seven days. I am a simple man. I work day and night to feed myself and my family. I have no other source of income except my shop. The municipality should have organized the eviction more appropriately," said Sultan. Ahmad Qassim said he demanded compensation from the municipality for the losses he incurred. "The municipality had no planning to their demolishing decision. I have a big family to support. How will I support them now? We are licensed by the municipality. On what basis is the municipality evicting us?" said Qassim.
