Okaz/Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH – People living in the Kilo 11 neighborhood of south Jeddah have expressed their indignation over the blatant neglect by the authorities toward their district.

“We have been suffering from this negligence for the past 20 years,” said Ibrahim Aseeri, a resident.

Damaged roads, overflowing sewage and poor utility services are the hallmarks of the district on Old Makkah Road.

“Sewage overflows in most parts of the district, spreading a nasty odor. Residents are worried about contagious diseases spreading in the neighborhood. Moreover, the streets of the district have not been asphalted for the last 30 years,” Aseeri told Okaz/Saudi Gazette.

Abdul Aziz Qadadi emphasized that overflowing septic tanks is a major problem in the district. He called upon all residents to remove sewage from their homes using tankers to prevent a possible outbreak of infectious diseases in the area.

Saleh Al-Maashi spoke about potholes in the streets of Kilo 11, obstructing the smooth flow of traffic. He wondered why Umm Sulm Municipality was not shouldering its responsibility toward the district, making necessary cleaning arrangements.

“The municipality has abandoned the district, forcing its residents to live with the dirty smell for months,” Al-Maashi said.

He urged the Saudi Electricity Company to remove billboards hanging on lamp posts, saying they tarnish the image of the district.

Mohammed Al-Qarni said overflowing sewage creates an ideal breeding ground for disease-carrying mosquitoes. “I am really worried about the health of my children,” he told Okaz/Saudi Gazette.

Saleh Al-Shamrani also expressed his dismay over the poor performance of Umm Sulm Municipality. “Our homes are surrounded by sewage. The municipality should have taken measures to remove sewage before it overflowed.”

Bandar Salim drew attention to the dirty parks in the district and urged the municipality to clean them as quickly as possible. “The municipality should construct more playing facilities in these parks for children and build an adequate number of toilets,” he added.

Mushrif Al-Shahri called for a quick solution for the sewage issue. “Sewage has become the hallmark of this district,” he told Okaz/Saudi Gazette.

He said the headquarters of Umm Sulm Municipality is located close to the district but it did not make any effort to asphalt the district’s roads and provide basic services to its residents.