Okaz/Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — The municipality has revealed that there was an order issued 14 years ago to demolish Al-Bawadi Souk but it was never carried out. Jeddah Municipality Public Relations Director Mohammad Al-Bugamy said the municipality began demolishing shops at Al-Bawadi Souk last week. "The souk belongs to a known businessman. He is well aware that he has encroached on public land. We have notified shop owners and the businessman of the demolition a week in advance. We cut off the water and electricity supply from the shop owners in preparation of the demolition," said Al-Bugamy. He added the municipality has been investigating the encroachment a year ago. "We have blueprints that are 30 years old showing exactly where the encroachments are. The souk had also violated regulations set by the Civil Defense. The shop owners filed a complaint against the municipality to the governor of Jeddah. We presented the documentation we have proving the encroachment and violations. The governor ruled in favor of the municipality and allowed us to proceed with our demolition," said Al-Bugamy. He added there are two investors of the souk. "The first investor was the one who encroached on public property and expanded the souk. The second investor did not commit any encroachments. The municipality penalized the second investor with SR520 million for the encroachment," said Al-Bugamy. He added the investor filed a lawsuit against the municipality claiming that the fine is extravagant and unjust. The source also said the souk was constructed without the approval of the Civil Defense. "The exit and entry gates of the souk are not clear and there is no space for fire extinguishing equipment. Ventilation of the souk is in low quality and the electric cables are displayed dangerously," said the source. The source also said the report also stated that the amusement park rides should be replaced with newer and safer ones and the shops should be renovated as well. National Society for Human Rights legal consultant Omar Al-Khouli said the municipality should be reprimanded for neglecting the violations for 35 years. "The municipality does not have the right to penalize the second investor for the encroachments. The municipality may penalize the first investor as he was the one who committed the encroachments," said Al-Khouli.
