Mayor Adel Faqih plans to improve public transport and develop unplanned districts and recreation areas in his new term. The mayor, who got a four-year extension last week, also said at a press conference here Saturday that several giant projects will be launched in the east of the city and that the Jeddah Development and Urban Regeneration Company has already obtained the title deeds for 100 million square meters of land for the purpose. For those who have been complaining about the state of Jeddah's roads because of ongoing construction of flyovers, the Mayor had some bad news: He said that Jeddah needs 90 bridges and tunnels in all and that work is under way on only 30 of them. The rest, he said, would be approved within three years. The mayor refuted claims by some owners of new towers on the Corniche that the mayoralty is exerting pressure on them to sponsor exhibitions so as to get licenses. “Those people should go to the authorities concerned and present proof confirming these charges,” Faqih said. Studies are under way, he said, for construction of new housing units by Jeddah Development and Urban Regeneration Company so as to benefit those who have left their homes in Khuzam Project. Residents of Khuzam District recently handed over more than 3,000 property title deeds, some of which comprise more than one property. The properties will be appropriated for a major development project in the area. The mayoralty, Faqih said, is awaiting approval of the ministerial committee that comprises Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs, Minister of Interior, Emir of Makkah Region and ministers of labor and finance on these housing units. Faqih attributed the delay in several projects to special circumstances which differ from one project to another. He said companies would be invited to discuss the matter in the near future. Khalid Aqeel, Deputy Jeddah Mayor for Services, said the number of cleaners in Corniche has been doubled and garbage bins increased during the recent contract for cleaning the city. He said Jeddah would witness a comprehensive campaign including implementation of some penalties on violators of the cleanliness regulations. Speaking on electricity, Aqeel said 5,000 Saudi nationals have submitted applications for installing electricity in their houses and 50 percent of these transactions have been completed. Speaking on the seafront at the Northern Corniche, the Jeddah Mayor pointed out that work of filling the lagoons has started and it will be followed by reshaping the area. Faqih further said among the initiatives to be taken in the coming period is developing the unorganized districts. He said they have started with Khuzam Palace and the districts surrounding it, followed by Al-Ruwais Area. As to the third track for the upcoming work strategy, Faqih said, the municipality would focus on developing new recreation areas. The East Jeddah areas, he said, would witness a qualitative change by the formation of a green belt surrounding the city. The mayoralty has laid down a plan for the rehabilitation and development of the Corniche. Also, it has laid down a strategy for developing the seafront for the central Northern Corniche. Faqih said numerous alternatives were being studied for shifting the Industrial Estate and their approval is awaited.
