Okaz/Saudi Gazette TAIF — Thieves and other criminal elements are active in the Rihab area of northern Taif, disturbing the peaceful life of its residents. The lack of streetlights in the district provides a cover for the illegal activities of criminals at night, residents say. "We are afraid that the thieves will take away valuables from our homes," one of them said. Speaking to Okaz/Saudi Gazette, the residents also complained about unpaved roads, sewage leaking into the streets and dust that triggers many respiratory diseases including asthma. More than 3,000 people reside in the district. They urged the Taif municipality to carry out development projects in the district to provide its residents with basic services. Mohammed Al-Hamyani stressed the need to asphalt roads to prevent the dust from kicking up. Ajami Al-Rouqi agreed and called upon the authorities to take immediate steps to end the suffering of the residents of Rihab. "The municipality should put an end building dust roads," he added. Abdul Rahman Al-Nuhas said the Rihab residents suffer a lot during the rainy season as a result of damaged and unpaved roads. "A number of swamps appear on the roads when it rains making it difficult for motorists to drive their vehicles through inundated potholes," Al-Nuhas told Okaz/Saudi Gazette. He said the swamps would serve as breeding grounds for disease-carrying mosquitoes. "They also spread a nasty odor throughout the district," he added. Yasser Al-Diyabi spoke about difficulties being faced by residents during the night when thieves and other wicked people engage in thefts and immoral activities exploiting the darkness that befall the district soon after sunset due to absence of a lighting system. "We call upon the municipality to establish a lighting system throughout the district to prevent thefts and immoral and illegal activities," he insisted. Musfer Ayed Al-Harthi urged the authorities to establish a sewage system in the district to avoid surfacing of sewage in the streets. "Tanker drivers charge high prices for removing sewage from residential buildings," he said. Moussa Al-Otaibi drew the attention of the authorities toward the poor cleanliness in the district. "We see garbage being accumulated along the road spreading a bad smell," he said and urged the municipality to improve basic services in the district. "It's unfortunate that garbage is piled up along streets for days. It will be removed by the municipality crews only after we raise complaints," Al-Otaibi said. The Rihab district lacks many basic services, he said, urging the municipality to implement new development projects in the district for the welfare of its residents.
