RIYADH – Riyadh Mayoralty has approved development projects worth SR7.5 billion in its budget, with a SR2.3 billion increase in this year's budgetary allocations compared with that of the previous year, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported Tuesday. Riyadh Mayor Abdullah Al-Moqbil said that SR650 million has been allocated for flood and drainage projects and SR1.85 million for road asphalting and lighting. For landscaping projects, the mayoralty earmarked SR50 million while SR280 million was allocated for development studies to improve the work of the mayoralty and other municipalities, Al-Moqbil said. The mayoralty also set aside SR400 million to develop several Riyadh roads and streets and the same amount will be spent to boost traffic safety around mosques and schools, he said. The new budget allocated SR50 million to develop pedestrian crossways and pavements, SR600 million to construct business complexes, SR25 million to implement the Prince Salman Science Oases project, and SR40 million to build centers to host festivals and events. A total of SR5 million will be spent on erecting signs in public parks while SR20 million has been set aside for repairing and renovating lamp posts and the same amount has been allocated for building a new vegetable and fruit market in north Riyadh. A new bird and pet animal market at a total cost of SR10 million will be constructed in the capital city and an entertainment center for persons with special needs will be set up with a total cost of SR10 million. Other projects include the replacement of old irrigation networks with new ones and the cleaning of public facilities.
