JEDDAH: Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal on Wednesday chaired a meeting of the executive committee for tackling floods in Jeddah and discussed the time frame to implement emergency solutions that would save the business city from recurring disaster.
The meeting also discussed the schedule for specialized international companies to present their offers to carry out studies and designs for the project, an official statement said, adding that work on some emergency projects have already begun.
The committee also heard a report from Ahmed Al-Suleim, director general of the project appointed by Saudi Aramco. Al-Suleim spoke about the 11 international companies that have been invited to participate as consultants for the project. The meeting was attended by Jeddah Gov. Prince Mishaal bin Majed, Jeddah Mayor Hani Aburas, President of the Saudi Geological Survey Zuhair Nawab, and other senior officials, including Maj. Gen. Adel Zamzami, director general of Civil Defense in the Makkah province.
In a previous statement, Prince Khaled had stated that emergency solutions for Jeddah floods would be implemented within six months. The companies vying for the massive project's consultancy contract include Parsons, AICOM, CH2M Hill, CDM, Bechtel, Jacobs, MWH Global, URS Corporation and Tetra Tech.
Prince Khaled said the winner of the contract would be announced within three weeks. "We have invited these companies to present their offers to become consultants to construct a state-of-the-art flood and rainwater drainage system and related infrastructure facilities in Jeddah," he said.
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah set up the committee following the massive floods that hit the city on Jan. 26.
Prince Khaled said solving Jeddah's rainwater floods was not an easy task. "We have to race against time to implement these emergency and long-term projects to protect Jeddah from further devastation," he said.
Speaking about the emergency plans, the governor said the northern canal would be completed and linked with the eastern canal. A canal from Al-Samir Dam to the central canal will also be built. Steps have also been taken to prevent leakages at Al-Samir Dam. The governor also disclosed plans to remove buildings constructed in the pathways of floodwaters in Al-Samir district.
© Arab News 2011
