MAKKAH — Car owners are suing government departments for the damage caused to their vehicles due to poor road construction and neglected construction projects, Makkah reported. Car owners have blamed several government organizations including Makkah Municipality, Makkah Traffic Directorate and STC. They want to be compensated for the money they spent on repairing their cars. Mohannad Kurdi said he had to repair his car at the workshop for the third time during the past five months and pay a total of SR5,500 thanks to the bad condition of roads. “The first time I had my car repaired in the past five months, it cost me SR1,400 because the axle and suspension of the vehicle were damaged. “Then I had to pay SR2,000 to repair the underbelly of the car. “Lastly, I paid SR2,100 because I mistakenly drove over an open and unattended manhole and it scratched the bottom of my car.” Mohammad Al-Qarni said investigation authorities such as the National Anti-Corruption Committee (Nazaha) should defend the citizens. “We need an official authority holding the contracting companies accountable for their negligence. “The government departments contracts with companies to implement their projects, but no one is supervising over the companies. “As citizens, we don't know who to go to in order to claim our rights.” Mechanics said most cars they receive were damaged because of construction work on the roads. They said uneven streets and misplaced bumps could damage the wheel bearings, the bottom of the car and its tires. Mechanic Alim Islam said he repairs nine to 10 cars a month. All of the cars he repairs were damaged due to neglected manholes and drilling projects done on the roads. Another mechanic, Mohammad Younis, said street bumps damage the car's axles, its suspension and the tires. He said: “Some government departments implement construction projects but don't clean up after the project is done. “It is usually because they don't cooperate with all of the concerned directorates.” Another mechanic, Qamar Al-Deen, said 60 percent of the damage is in the bottom of the car. Makkah Municipality official spokesman Osama Zaytouni said the municipality is willing to go to court for any damage its projects have caused. “We welcome all lawsuits against us given that the plaintiff's claim is true and valid. “The municipality is willing to oblige with whatever verdict the court issues and may justice be served.” Makkah Traffic Director Khalid Al-Otaibi said the issue requires a specialized committee to handle citizens' complaints. He said: “I have received many complaints from car owners. “I have also taken these complaints and processed them through the directorate. “There is damage that we have caused and there is damage caused by other directorates and companies such as the electricity and water companies. “That is why there needs to be a special committee.”
