The Municipal Council in Jeddah has formed a committee to find acceptable solutions for the owners of quarries whose businesses have been shut down due to accusations that they are causing environmental pollution. Chairman of the Council, Dr. Tarik Fad'aq, and member of the board, Bassam Al-Akhdhar, met with the owners of the quarries to attempt to find a way to reduce the air pollution caused by quarries. It was understood that the solution should not harm the owners' business especially since quarries play an important role in the Kingdom's construction sector. Dr. Fad'aq explained that the meeting was held to listen to the owners' points of view and to discuss possible technical solutions that would ensure that quarries will not pollute the environment. “The owners have complained about shutting down their business which has stopped or delayed many vital projects in Jeddah,” said Dr. Fad'aq, adding that “They asked the Municipal Council to look at all sides of the issue and to work out a solution for it immediately.” Dr. Fad'aq pointed out that the meeting led to an agreement that two of owners will join the committee to discuss the issue with nine governmental sectors. The owners will submit their own technical views which guarantee the rights of the community by installing special filters in their factories. Bassam Al-Akhdar said that the right of Jeddah residents comes before that of any investor, but this does not mean that the municipal council can ignore the losses brought about by closing the investor's business.
