As part of preparations for the Jeddah flood disaster probe, a total of 150 officials and businessmen are expected to appear before special committees of the Commission for Investigation and Prosecution (CIP) and the Control and Investigation Bureau (CIB) as either accused or witnesses. According to a source, the people include retired employees, businessmen and owners of companies specializing in contracting and real estate. The source pointed out that the committees are holding continuous meetings to coordinate their work. This is because of overlapping functions and responsibilities. The committees will work in two sessions – morning and evening – to expedite the implementation of the royal order which calls for the prosecution of those responsible for wrongdoing in relation to the flood disaster. The source disclosed that some of those appearing will be referred for investigation to the CIP and CIB. The source pointed out that the actual investigation will start in about one week. In a step aimed at preparing the ground for the investigation teams, the CIB gave its investigators powers to call for the input of particularly engineering experts, in coordination with government authorities and other related bodies. The investigations are part of a Royal Decree issued by King Abdullah, Custodian of the Holy Mosques, on May 10 this year. The decree also ordered that the hazardous sewage lake in Jeddah is drained within a year. The floods killed at least 123 people and destroyed thousands of homes and vehicles. An investigating committee was set up by the King after the Nov. 25 disaster and more than 50 municipal and government officials, businessmen and contractors were detained. This was in connection with suspected negligence and corruption related to drainage and sewage projects and illegal land deals. The investigating committee examined all projects implemented in Jeddah since 1950 for financial and administrative irregularities and corruption. Two committees were set up by the King. The first fact-finding body was chaired by Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Emir of Makkah region, who presented a report of his findings to the King in early March. The second committee was chaired by Second Deputy Premier and Interior Minister Prince Naif to recommend and implement measures after studying the investigating committee's report. The King also ordered that various flood channels be cleared and that all land deals on vulnerable areas be canceled.
