JEDDAH – The newly developed Hamdaniya District in Jeddah houses the world-class King Abdullah Sports City (Al-Jowhara) but lacks many public facilities and services. "Hamdaniya is located just 40 km north of the headquarters of Jeddah mayoralty but its officials treat the district as if it does not come under their purview," said one resident. Established about 15 years ago as one of the model districts of Jeddah, the residents of Hamdaniya still cry for basic facilities and services as a result of authorities' negligence. The National Water Company and the Traffic Department should take part of the blame for the appearance of sewage swamps in the district and lack of traffic lights on its busy roads. Radda Al-Harthi denounced the municipality's apathetic attitude toward Hamdaniya. "Sewage water accumulates on the road and threatens our homes," he told Okaz/Saudi Gazette. Al-Harthi said he spends SR3,000 monthly to remove water from his sewage tank. Mohammed Al-Ghamdi also blamed the mayoralty for the district's woes. "Does the mayoralty think that we do not come under their jurisdiction for being located 40 km away from their offices," he asked. He urged the mayoralty to take care of the suburban districts such as Hamdaniya, Falah, Hada, Hanaki, Majed, Salehiya and Aziziya located on the borders of Jeddah city. "Hamdaniya is now a highly populated township. Moreover, it receives thousands of football fans who come to witness matches at Al-Jowhara Stadium," he added. Bandar Al-Johani also spoke about the worsening condition of the district. "Things have not improved in Hamdaniya despite our recurrent calls to press the mayoralty to enhance services." Waste is thrown in different parts of the district due to lack of enough garbage boxes, matching with its population. "The number of cleaning workers in the district is also inadequate." Al-Johani said lack of street lights emboldened thieves and other criminals. "Our district requires jogging areas, parks and other recreational facilities," he told Okaz/Saudi Gazette. Ahmed Al-Subhi urged the Traffic Department to establish traffic lights on the district's busy roads to regulate movement of vehicles and avoid possible accidents. "At present traffic bottlenecks occur at the district's junctions," he pointed out. Moreover, the absence of traffic police has encouraged motorists to drive in an undisciplined way. According to Saad Al-Harbi, lack of water is another major problem facing Hamdaniya. "Many parts of the district lack drinking water pipeline and sewage networks." He said the people of Hamdaniya were not demanding luxury but basic amenities such as drinking water, traffic lights and street lights to realize the dream of becoming a model district.
