Fatima Muhammad
Saudi Gazette
JEDDAH — The car stores committee at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry has urged concerned authorities to speed up the process of finalizing the groundwater project at the southern party of Jeddah particularity at “Haraj area” which is an open area devoted for selling used cars. The committee also noted that the area is in need of a healthy and clean environment enjoying ample light and smooth streets.
The head of the committee, Aida Al-Jihani, said the National Water Company has yet to respond to its request for water supply to the area. He added that they have also contracted Jeddah municipality for repairing roads and providing maintenance to the area.
Further, the committee has written letters to the traffic department, police and security officials as well as ministries of labor and municipal and rural affairs forwarding suggestions to resolve the issue of unauthorized workers and other matters.
Al-Jihani said there was a pressing need to develop the “Harraj” area and invest in the location to provide parking lots and food and public services. He elaborated that the cars are affected in the area due to the groundwater that is affecting the quality of the roads in the area.
He also highlighted the issue of brokers who welcome consumers at the enterance of the area leaving no room for stores to compete. “This is an old issue that needs to be resolved soon. It is an issue that needs solution from the ministry of commerce, security bodies and the ministry of labor. Such brokers are mainly overstayers who stop people willing to sell their cars and immediately start negotiating the price and later they contact the car stores to seek commissions.”
A month ago five government bodies met with an aim to develop Harraj area. These bodies include: Jeddah police, the municipality, traffic department, National Water Company and JCCI.
Police officials agreed to tighten security measures in the area while the traffic department said it will impound any unidentified vehicle.
For its part, the NWC noted it will finalize its project in the area while the municipality promised to provide maintenance and services needed.
