JEDDAH: Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal has named Nesma as the contracting company to undertake the short-term projects to fortify Jeddah against future floods.
"Nesma is the company that won the SR795-million contract and it will have to complete 12 projects in 110 days," Prince Khaled, who is the chairman of the Subcommittee for Flood Management, announced in Jeddah on Wednesday.
Jeddah Gov. Prince Mishaal bin Majed was also present on the occasion.
More than 140 people were killed in a series of floods that struck Jeddah in 2009 and 2011. Hundreds of buildings were toppled and thousands of cars totally destroyed, especially in the eastern districts of Jeddah.
The company will have to start work on 12 out of 14 projects designed to divert floodwater harming the city. Two projects in Umm Al-Khayr and Al-Samer neighborhoods in the east of the Al-Haramain Expressway were granted to another company in an earlier decision.
"The 12 projects include floodwater drainage at the intersection of Prince Majed Street with Palestine Street; the underpass at the intersection of King Abdullah Road with Madinah Road; the underpass on King Fahd Road where it meets with King Abdullah Road; the intersection of Hail Street with King Abdullah Road; and Khaled bin Waleed Street," the prince said.
The projects to be undertaken also include flood-abatement works at the underpass of Prince Majed Road and Prince Muhammad bin Abdul Aziz Street; the underpass at Prince Majed Road and Rowdah Street; the Andalus Street crossing on King Abdullah Road; the intersection of Andalus and Al-Hamra streets; the intersection of Prince Majed Road with the Abdullah Al-Suleiman and Bakhashab streets; and the intersection of Sari Street with Madinah Road.
"Another measure to deal with emergency situations is the division of Jeddah into many zones. In each zone, emergency centers of related government organizations will be present to deal with emergencies. Many centers have been established in the wake of the previous upheavals. We hope that these projects will stop the repetition of the kind of calamities that hit the governorate in the past," he said.
The prince also indicated that currently studies are under way on the feasibility of a public transport system for the city.
Earlier, Prince Mishaal said the work at the flood management projects in Umm Al-Khayr and Al-Samer were progressing as scheduled. "Forty-one percent of the canal work at Al-Samer and 66 percent of the work at Umm Al-Khayr have been completed," Prince Mishaal said in a statement after the inspection of the two projects that are being undertaken in different flood-prone areas.
Jeddah Mayor Hani Abu Ras presented the prince with a detailed report on the completed part of the project during the inspection.
"We will take all steps to overcome any obstacle in the progress of the projects which are aimed at the welfare and safety of the people," Prince Mishaal affirmed.
The works on the two projects were started with the approval of the executive committee headed by Prince Khaled.
Prince Mishaal stressed the importance of cooperation of all parties as the projects are designed to protect people's lives and properties.
He said the SR264.7 million project is to be commissioned after 197 days.
© Arab News 2011
