Stopping at a traffic light, I could not help looking at the giant LED screen on one corner of the intersection flashing an assortment of clips. One caught my eye as it was praising the efforts of the Jeddah Municipality on the recently opened section of the Corniche, and the marvelous job done. The light changed too quickly for me to determine whether this was a paid advertisement or a genuine note of thanks from one of the city's own. And then I recalled an article by a fellow columnist earlier this month written about the same stretch of Corniche. In that piece, the writer praised the Mayoralty for winning the Big Project Middle East Award for 2012 in an event that was held in Dubai last month. So did the Mayoralty genuinely deserve the award? The section of the Corniche from the Al-Naurus roundabout to the Coast Guard station on Sary Street had been closed for more than a year while work progressed behind carefully placed barriers. Although the closure meant a great deal of inconvenience to motorists, there was also the anticipation that good would come out of it. Reports suggest that more than SR 180 million was spent on the development, and when it was finally opened weeks behind schedule, the influx of curious visitors intermingled with those who just wanted an outing was very evident. But immediately, words of disappointment and displeasure could be heard among residents of the city. One said: “We have had to put up with the closure of this stretch of road for more than 450 days for this? Who do they think they are fooling?” Another added: “What is the point of all these speed bumps on the road? And do you know what? They are covered in tiling, some of which is beginning to loosen as the grout holding it together gives way under the weight of trucks and cars. What smart engineer ever thought of that?” A lady who visited the development a few days after it was opened complained about the restroom facilities. “The few that I saw were locked up and I was told to go further down for one that was open. But upon reaching the entrance, the stench coming from inside forced me to change my mind. The cleaners were seen loitering about with no supervision. They seemed to be more interested in gathering a few alms than doing what they were supposed to be doing.” A teacher who had taken his family to this section of the Corniche commented that it should not have opened until all the work was done. “Large sections of this Corniche are still boarded off as the work is not complete. Even the aquarium, an eyesore on the seafront for more than 20 years is not ready. The few grassy areas are not watered regularly and are turning from green to brown. Soon there will be nothing but patches of dirt. And they still have not solved the parking problem.” A mother questioned the choices of material used. “Look at the safety railings that are on the edges. What is the point of erecting them there when a child can easily slip through the gaps? Just a waste of money like everything else the Municipality does. Over a year ago they spent massive amounts on a roundabout near Sultan Mall, adding ships, planes and whatnot. They even landscaped it with rocks and flowers. Today there are bulldozers tearing all that down. Why? Can our city planners answer that? How much money has been wasted, and just who is accountable?” A professor at King Abdulaziz University added: “You know, we have been gradually accustomed over the years to accept incompetent and shoddy work, be it by our municipality or other public service concerns. Thus if there is the slightest bit of improvement, it disguises the fact that it is still not up to required standards, and yet that little improvement appeases many people who are thankful for the improvement.” Although the majority of those I talked to feel that the Corniche development falls terribly short of expectations considering the time and the money the Municipality had to put it together, there were some exceptions. A retired businessman blames the mess at the Corniche on those who use it. “Look, just a few days after it was officially opened, vandals set about destroying some features there and defacing areas with ugly graffiti. We cannot blame the Municipality if the people themselves lack the social ethics to respect public property!” And what about the award won in Dubai? A frequent commuter to that city says: “Most PR and event handling companies in Dubai have very limited imagination, and they think they are doing something worthwhile by holding prize-giving events. I wouldn't be surprised to hear that they'll soon come up with the ‘best groomed pet of the year' award. These awards are meaningless, and are purely a publicity gathering act.” If one is to go by the complaints of many residents on the newly developed Corniche, then perhaps it is indeed a case of an award that has lost its glitter. — The author can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @talmaeena
