RABIEYYA – Residents of Rabieyya, 30 km east of Buraidah, have called upon the authorities to provide the township with necessary services including a health center, a public park and playground. They say they currently have to travel several kilometers to get their things done and purchase household essentials. Rabieyya, with a population of 10,000, lies on the middle way between various towns in the Qassim province. "Those who come from Asyah and Riyadh-Madinah Expressway pass by this township," said Mohammed Al-Zemam while speaking to Okaz/Saudi Gazette. "Rabieyya is located at a strategic point in the Qassim region but it lacks many essential services such as asphalted roads, telecom services, primary healthcare center, banks and ATMs, government offices, police station and public parks," he pointed out. Sulaiman Al-Jasser stressed the importance of developing the 25-km long Buraidah-Rabieyya road as hundreds of motorists use it daily. The road needs lighting, asphalting in some areas, fencing to prevent animals from crossing the road and erecting safety signs, he added. Mohammed Al-Sindi drew the attention of the authorities to a lack of investment projects in Rabieyya. It needs commercial complexes to open shops to supply various goods and services needed by the residents, he added. "At present people have to travel about 50 km to reach Buraidah to do their shopping," Al-Sindi said and urged the municipality to initiate a project to construct a business complex for the benefit of the people of Rabieyya and neighboring villages," he told Okaz/Saudi Gazette. The town also requires residential planning and an agricultural office to meet the needs of farmers. "We have got very fertile land and ground water here. What the authorities need to do is to promote agriculture in the township and surrounding villages," Al-Sindi said. Naif Al-Zemam said the township was lacking proper development for decades. "We need various services," he said. There are several heritage buildings in the town, which have started crumbling due to a lack of proper care and attention. However, some of them stand strong despite the passage of more than 50 years after construction, he explained. The absence of telecom companies, Internet coverage and mobile phone towers and a dearth of playgrounds and public parks are other problems facing Rabieyya residents. Al-Zemam noted Rabieyya's position as the connecting point between Buraidah, the capital of Qassim region, and the neighboring villages of Rakiyya, Bandariyya, Nabqiyya, Juala and Mustawa.
