RIYADH — The Riyadh municipality conducted a campaign to clear the Al-Batha neighborhood of illegal shops. Riyadh Mayor Abdullah Al-Muqbil said 16 municipality branches and 861 health supervisors were called to assist in the campaign. He said the campaign would continue until all violations are cleared, adding that a number of shops were closed. Al-Batha was targeted first as it was reportedly the worst neighborhood for violations. Al-Muqbil said Riyadh municipality was planning a huge project to develop a 15 square kilometer area in central Riyadh to make it attractive for citizens to live in. The central area will have public parks, pedestrian paths and administration centers. He said that most products in Al-Batha were from unknown sources and the restaurants lack hygiene. All such products will be confiscated and violating shops closed down until they meet certain standards. Riyadh Deputy Mayor Dr. Ibrahim Al-Dejain said the Emir of Riyadh has instructed the municipality to open offices in Al-Batha to follow up and monitor such violations and ensure that they are not repeated. He said the campaigns would continue all year round and its purpose was not to impose fines but eliminate violations. He added that the campaigns were successful and received positive reactions and feedback from residents. Restaurants have applied the required hygienic requirements and are employing only those who hold health certificates. Meanwhile, Riyadh Civil Defense led a campaign against industrial plants suspected to be in breach of various regulations. The campaign, led by Riyadh Civil Defense's head Maj. Gen. Aabed Al-Sekhairi, led to the closure of five plants. The violations included faulty electrical works, inappropriate locations for workers' housing and old and damaged vehicles that were parked in a way that disrupted traffic flow. Riyadh Civil Defense spokesman Cap. Mohammad Al-Hammadi said the Emir of Riyadh had instructed the formation of a committee comprising representatives of various departments to carry out such campaigns.
