Okaz/Saudi Gazette MADINAH — Repeated accidents near sewers beg the question of who should be held responsible. A source said the most recent accident was when the child named Ibrahim fell into a sewer in Al-Zahdiyah District. "The incident took place 400 meters south of the Prophet's Mosque. People are wondering who is responsible for this negligence. The incidents of people falling into sewers or water cisterns have been frequent and children are usually the victim," said the source. The source said the municipality declared it is not responsible for the incidents and the Water Directorate announced it is not responsible for water cisterns. "The Water Directorate was responsible for installing 85 percent of the sewers' covers in Madinah," said the source. Ahmad Jadallah said official directorates are wasting their efforts throwing the blame on each other instead of solving the issue. "The incident of the boy Ibrahim should be enough for officials to realize the problem is urgent and must be solved immediately. Ibrahim was only five years old. His parents could not conceive in 10 years and when they finally had him they lot him to an incident like this," said Jadallah. Ahmad Al-Ahmadi said the sewer Ibrahim fell in is only 200 meters away from the municipality's offices. "The sewer Ibrahim fell into is not somewhere in a deserted area. It is near Saad Bin Al-Rabie area where lots of children play. There was only a thin layer of wood covering the hole. It does not matter if the incident was the responsibility of the municipality or the Water Directorate, they both need to end the problem so we don't have any more incidents," said Al-Ahmadi. He added the people of the area have called the municipality several times but the municipality never complies. "One of the municipality employees replied one time saying the exposed sewers are the responsibility of the contractors of the construction projects in the area and that we should contact the contractor," said Al-Ahmadi.
