Abdulaziz Maafa
Okaz/Saudi Gazette
DHAMMAD, JAZAN — Swamps are obstructing the construction of King Faisal Primary School, the Education Affairs Directorate has said.
Ahmad Al-Hazmy, a citizen of Dhammad and a parent, has been waiting for the construction of the school like other parents. “The construction of the school project has been hindered by the leaking of sewage water. The leakage lasted three months without any attention from the authority. We complained to the Education Affairs Directorate and they told us they have been in contact with the municipality to solve the problem,” said Al-Hazmy.
He also said now the water has overflown until the site became filled with swamps.
“As parents, we are concerned about the status of the project. It has been delayed by six months already. The authority must penalize the contractor as such a delay is negligence on his part. I have already tried contacting the contractor about the issue. I received no response from him,” said Al-Hazmy.
He added the swamps have contaminated the construction site and has attracted harmful insects. “The place is no longer safe or hygienic. The swamps have begun to affect the infrastructure of the building. If the authorities concerned does not do anything about the problem anytime soon, the building will no longer be safe,” said Al-Hazmy.
He said also that the Education Affairs Directorate is not regularly inspecting the site to ensure that the project is progressing according to plan.
“I had to personally bring one of the architects working for the directorate to show him the state of the project. He witnesses the leakage first hand but the directorate has not done anything about it yet,” said Al-Hazmy.
He also said the building was supposed to be four stories high with 28 classrooms.
Sibya Education Affairs Director Asiri Al-Ahwas said the directorate had sent an official proposal to the municipality requesting relocation of a sewage water cistern currently situated next to the school and is the cause of the leakage. The municipality has yet to cooperate and reply.
