Prince Muhammad Bin Nasser Bin Abdul Aziz, Emir of Jizan, has attributed the delay in execution of road projects in the province to the lack of contractors. Besides, he said, the big number of projects in the region's rugged topography and vast valleys are behind the delay. The Emir directed the authorities supervising the projects to follow up the execution of the projects and impose fines on contractors for any delay. He pointed out that many projects have been re-tendered due to the low prices of reinforcement iron and other building materials. The Emir said many road projects have been carried out in the region conforming to the current year's budget allocations. The coastal road linking the region with several other regions is in its final stages, he said. Several bridge projects, he said, would be carried out on valleys to put a limit to the hazards from floods in some villages especially those in the border area and in the southern sector provided the citizens cooperate with the authorities. There is coordination among the concerned authorities like the Civil Defense and municipalities to lay down conditions and mechanisms for setting up such dikes, he said. Meanwhile, Nasser Bin Ali Al-Hazmi, Director General of the Roads and Transportation Administration in Jizan, said the ministry is executing numerous road and bridge projects in the villages at a total cost of SR47 million to facilitate the citizens' movement. He said eight bridges would be constructed on several valleys.
