By Mohammed Al-Sawadi

Okaz/Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH – Waziriya District in South Jeddah is an example of underdevelopment and official negligence. It lacks necessary infrastructure facilities like sewage networks and asphalted roads. Sewage water appears on streets spreading nasty odor and infectious diseases across the district.

“Official negligence has reached its peak in Waziriya,” said Moussa Hekami, blaming the municipality for the district’s underdevelopment and woes.

“It was better for the municipality not to give permission for new house and other building constructions due to poor living conditions and lack of infrastructure in the district,” Hekami told Okaz/Saudi Gazette.

“Constructions must be stopped until the completion of infrastructure facilities including establishment of a sewage network and naming of the district’s streets,” he explained.

Sewage water surfaces on Waziriya’s streets, thus tarnishing its image. “Diseases, stinky smell and mosquitoes have become the district’s hallmarks,” he said and urged the municipality to take quick measures to change the situation.

“Garbage is accumulated on the district’s streets as the municipality’s vehicles fail to remove it regularly. This situation not only caused environment pollution but also spread infectious diseases,” Hekami said.

Fawaz Abusabah also expressed his anguish over the municipality’s gross negligence toward the district where sewage water has destroyed asphalted streets, creating huge potholes.

“We are fed up with the blame game between the municipality and the National Water Company. This will not solve the problem. We want action from the part of the municipality and NWC to stop outflow of sewage to streets and protect the environment,” Abusabah told Okaz/Saudi Gazette.

He expressed his disappointment over building his house in a district that lacks basic infrastructure facilities. “I had expected that Waziriya would receive greater care and support from authorities,” he said while emphasizing the need to name the district’s streets as quickly as possible.

Waziriya was established 20 years ago but the district has been hit by early senility due to lack of infrastructure facilities and environment pollution.

Abdullah Hamza also expressed his deep concern over the district’s deteriorating condition. “Waziriya was established as a model district but a number of disorganized buildings have been constructed, tarnishing its image,” he said and blamed authorities for damaging its environment.