With second supply line getting operational water crisis in Taif governorate would end early next year, Abdullah Al-Hussayen, Minister of Water and Electricity, has said. The minister expects work on the line to be completed by year-end. He added that the ministry has increased the number of water distribution points in the governorate to 40 in two locations. As to power outages, he said, “The ministry has projects worth SR80 billion being executed. These projects will put an end to power outages and will provide a large power reserve which will be able to handle the estimated eight percent annual growth in power consumption, which will require 3,000 megawatts annually.” Al-Hussayen said his ministry intends to offer consultancy programs for privatization of water in Makkah, Madina, Taif, Dammam and Al-Khobar soon. He said the programs would begin in Makkah and Taif before the end of this year. Denying any delay in transferring employees of the operation and maintenance sector of the former directorates of water in Riyadh and Jeddah to the National Water Company, Al-Hussayen said all the employees would be taken on by the water company in the first stage with a view to making them permanent in their respective jobs.
