Prince Nayef inspects damage in Jeddah

February 3, 2011

Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz toured Jeddah by air on Tuesday in order to inspect the damage caused by heavy rainfall and flooding last week. He was briefed on the situation by Makkah Governor Prince Khalid Al-Faisal and members of the Ministerial Committee formed to assess relief efforts and to submit a comprehensive report to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz.

Afterwards, Prince Nayef chaired a meeting of the Ministerial Committee, which released a statement detailing its decisions and recommendations. A branch Ministerial Committee, under the supervision of Prince Nayef and the chairmanship of Prince Khalid, was formed to follow up on the implementation of developmental projects in Jeddah Province. The group, composed of the ministers of Municipal and Rural Affairs, Finance, Water and Electricity and Transport, will be authorized to select the winners of bids for the projects, an exception to the government procurement and competition system. Bidding will be open to international and domestic companies with expertise in flood and rain drainage system design.

Subcommittees were also formed to quantify the human and property losses and to estimate compensation amounts for the victims. During a press conference on Tuesday, Prince Nayef affirmed that at least SR 1 million will be provided to the families of the deceased.

Prince Nayef praised the ongoing relief efforts, noting that authorities were working around the clock to restore traffic, combat epidemics, provide foodstuffs and fuel, restore electrical power, and dry up the remaining flooded areas. According to the Committee’s report, 3,077 people were rescued from the flooding by emergency workers, and shelter was provided for 4,923 families and 18,027 people. At least 25,000 buildings, 2,500 commercial shops and much of the area’s roadways were damaged.

Finally, Prince Nayef reiterated that any instances of negligence that may have exacerbated the crisis will be punished by a special committee formed for that purpose.

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