By Othman Al-Shallash
BURAIDAH — Tarfiya, a township 18 km northeast of Buraidah, lacks a number of government departments such as Civil Defense, Red Crescent and a full-fledged municipality as well as basic services including healthcare, banks and ATMs, residents said.
“It’s one of the oldest townships in the Qassim region, which was established 70 years ago, and is closer to the administrative offices in Buraidah but Tarfiya still lacks many basic services and development projects,” said Abdullah Al-Tuwaijri while speaking to Okaz/Saudi Gazette.
He said Tarfiya has become one of the abandoned townships in the region as officials do not pay any attention to its development. “We don’t have basic services such as parks and resorts, our mobile phone networks are weak. People have to go to Buraidah to withdraw money from ATMs.”
Ahmed Fuhaid Al-Tuwaijri also decried the township’s poor condition. “If a fire breaks out we have to wait for Civil Defense firefighters to come from Buraidah and if an accident occurs first-aid services would be delayed due to absence of a Red Crescent office,” he explained.
He said lack of an independent municipality has disfigured Tarfiya’s face. “You can see damaged cars abandoned along streets in addition to several dilapidated and abandoned houses, which not only tarnish the image of Tarfiya but also poses a security threat.”
He emphasized the need for an independent municipality. “At present Tarfiya comes under Buraidah municipality. We need the municipality to construct parks and recreation centers for the benefit of families and children in the township,” he pointed out.
He said the new northern railway passes by Tarfiya, adding that it would enhance the township’s future. The Health Ministry has been urged to strengthen the city’s health center by enhancing its facilities and appointing more doctors and nurses.
Mohammed Abdullah Al-Harbi called for the establishment of jogging areas and parks in the township. We also urge authorities to supply unpolluted drinking water. “Now the color of water in the pipeline is red as if it’s mixed with oil and this water cannot be used for drinking.”
Khaled Ali Al-Tuwaijri stressed the need for constructing playgrounds for youth. “We request Buraidah municipality to take care of Tarfiya and meet its requirements,” he told Okaz/Saudi Gazette.
The government has allocated a land for constructing a park in the center of Tarfiya but no work on the project has started even after the passage of years after land allocation. “We also need 4G services. At present mobile phone networks in Tarfiya are weak,” he pointed out.
Al-Tuwaijri called for the establishment of a youth development center in the township to make use of the spare time of young men in a useful and constructive way.
