The first phase of a project to transform flood canals to public parks in eastern and western Jeddah is complete and work is under way to add further improvements, according to an official in the Jeddah Mayoralty, Asharq Alawsat reported. The project will be merged with another one being implemented to improve the services of Prince Muhammad Bin Abdul Aziz Street, also known as Tahliyah Street. The project, delayed by rain in Jeddah in the last two years, aims to develop a plot of land where a main drainage duct is located, said Eng. Abdullah Al-Kashmiri Al-Amri, acting general director of the Gardens Department at Jeddah Mayoralty. “When this project is complete, many families will be able to benefit from different services,” he said. “The second phase of the project, which will be implemented by Jeddah Development Company, will start soon.” The project will be 13 kilometers long and more than eight kilometers wide, which will necessitate widening of roads for easier access, Al-Amri added. “The project of the northern flood canal park will be merged with another project that is being implemented to improve the services of Prince Muhammad Bin Abdul Aziz Street,” he said. “The project includes constructing small restaurants and public facilities away from the noise of malls. Al-Khalidiah and Al-Aziziyah Districts' services will be improved as well.” More than 70 hectares of sports-activity centers, playgrounds, places for prayer, markets and paths for pedestrians and cyclists will be constructed in Jeddah to meet the need for areas for families and youths, Al-Amri said. The project will be implemented by an international engineering company, he added. In another matter involving the Jeddah Mayoralty, the city's Mayor, Dr. Hani Abu Ras, has directed the Department of Licenses and Commercial Control to visit Internet cafes after receiving citizens' complaints that they are committing violations. Dr. Bashir Abu Najm, director of the Department, said recent visits to a large number of Internet cafes revealed a number of violations. “Some of the cafes don't have a Saudi receptionist; some hire non-Saudi staff who are not even on the sponsorship of café owners; some employees do not have residence permits; some cafes allow young boys to use the Internet; some use special lights, which are not allowed, to attract attention; the façades of some Internet cafés are dark and you cannot see what is going on inside; some cafes are divided into single rooms where Internet users can use the Internet without any supervision or monitoring; and most of these cafes do not abide by opening and closing times.” Dr. Abu Ras has also directed departments to conduct periodic inspections of highway gas stations, rest areas and malls to ensure that they are clean and in compliance with all regulations.
