Nada Al-Maddah Saudi Gazette MAKKAH – Abdulaziz Al-Khudairi, Undersecretary at the Makkah governorate and Chairman of the Executive Committee for Haj Operations, expressed thanks and appreciation to Maj. Gen. Jameel Arba'een, Director of Makkah Civil Defense, and all committee members for conducting inspection tours to uncover violations in residential buildings that were used for storing goods sold by street vendors and shopkeepers in various districts of the city. Some of these facilities stored inflammable materials that posed a grave threat to the public. At least 16 warehouses were found violating government regulations in the first half of this year and their owners were forced to vacate the premises. This has brought the total number of warehouses that have been evacuated since the formation of the committee to 460. In a statement to Saudi Gazette, Maj. Gen. Arba'een said the warehouses were cleared in the presence of a five-man committee comprising representatives of the Civil Defense, Makkah Mayoralty, Criminal Investigations Department, Passport Department and Saudi Electricity Company. Fines ranging from SR5000 to SR30,000 were imposed on the violators and they were warned of imprisonment in the event of repeating the offense. Maj. Gen. Arba'een said the committee would continue its functions in this regard. He appealed to all property owners, real estate offices and tenants not to rent residential buildings, including apartments and basements, to store merchandize in clear violation of the regulations. The official appealed to Makkah residents to cooperate with the Civil Defense and report on warehouses in residential districts by dialing the emergency number 998.
