Saudi Gazette The Jeddah Municipal Council members with their chairman Dr. Ayman Saleh Fadel met on Monday to discuss pressing issues and problems that exist in certain residential areas in Jeddah. Among the strongest complaints reported to the municipality by the city's residents were lack of large garbage bins in neighborhoods, and insufficient and damaged light poles. Along with it the council's top priority plans also includes removal and prevention of stagnant sewage water in residential areas. Municipal Council member, Waheed Jamjoom, urged the council to pass a law that will require all shops and stores on the streets in the Balad area to unify their out-door signs. Jamjoom believes that the current random and varying colors, sizes, and shapes of the signs are distorting the image of the Balad area and that requiring them to conform to a standard design will add beauty to this culturally and historically important area. Jamjoom also suggested that the tops of the light posts in the old Jeddah or Balad should be shaped as the traditional lanterns that hold rich historical connotations. According to another municipal council member who said that Al-Sham and Al-Mathlum districts in Jeddah have only 100 working light poles as compared to the 500 installed. Eng. Abdulmajeed Al-Batati, urban planning director of the Jeddah Municipality assured members that swift measures will be taken by the municipality to ensure cleanliness and adequate lighting of Jeddah's neighborhoods. Council members are also worried that excessive water flowing during car washing on roads outside homes and apartments may lead to deterioration of the road infrastructure. Fines will be imposed if unusual wastage of water is observed as the municipality plans to not only save water but protect the infrastructure as well. The council targets to immediately improve Kandara, Al-Bughdadiya, Saamer, Al-Sharafiya, Al-Balad, and other nearby areas in Jeddah. __
