“A contractors' plaything” is how locals are describing the Primary Healthcare Center in Dhamad that remains unbuilt after four years. “They've taken advantage of the fact that there has been no administrative overseeing of the works,” one local resident said. “The works were offered to subcontractors for less than the cost of the original project.” A contractor who wished to remain unnamed confirmed the view, saying that his company was “offered the project for SR1.6 million, in full knowledge that the works would cost a lot more.” The contractor blamed Jizan Health Affairs for the holdup in the completion of the building. “They should be keeping an eye on the works and setting deadlines,” he said. “And they should be selecting the most competent construction companies for such works, as this one has got no further than the base foundatuions.” The spokesman for Health Affairs in Jizan, Jabril Al-Qabi, said the works were under “direct ministerial supervision.” “The works began last year, not four years ago, and as far as the hole at the works is concerned, that'll be filled in on Saturday,” Al-Qabi said. But locals remain unimpressed. “The contractors have been playing around with these works and it's about time that Health Affairs stepped in and sorted it out,” said Isma'eil Naja'i. “We who are living here desperately need a healthcare center.” “The big hole they've left gathers rainwater,” said Hassan Khanni. “How come it's taking them this long to get things moving when the budget for the works was set four years ago?”
