The development of the old and unplanned districts in Makkah Region, carried out under the directives of King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, the project is meant to achieve a comprehensive development of society and create a quantum leap in improving the cultural, educational, economic, health, and security aspects of life. Addressing a press conference here Saturday, Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Emir of Makkah, said he is personally following the progress of the development project because of its importance. Prince Khaled further underlined the importance of efforts to curtail the spread of undeveloped districts because of their negative impact on the Kingdom's development process and economy. He said the project has been designed to provide adequate residential units, schools, hospitals, health and training centers and mosques, adding that “It should also be borne in mind that the project aims to convert the undeveloped districts into well-planned urban areas where residents can be assured of an adequate socioeconomic standard of life.” Prince Khaled assured the residents of Al-Ruwais District, and those of the other 53 Jeddah districts earmarked for development, that they will receive their rights and dues in full. “No injustice will be done to anyone, Allah willing,” he emphasized. The Emir said the development project offers landowners a number of options. They can invest in the project up to the value of their buildings or they can sell them to the development company for a value be fixed by a committee formed for this purpose. The owners, he said, also have the choice of obtaining a residential unit from the buildings to be constructed instead of accepting compensation for their expropriated buildings. Developers in Ruwais project have taken into account the interest of the citizens in the unplanned districts, Prince Khaled said. Regarding residents who do not possess deeds and whether they can lodge complaints, he said, “Every individual in the Kingdom has the right to lodge a complaint. I once again confirm that justice will be done to all as those without deeds will be issued to them according to a mechanism worked out for this purpose. Buildings will be fairly valued, and owners of expropriated buildings can become partners in the development of the district or receive compensation so that they can invest in another place”. Prince Khaled said that the project will serve citizens and eliminate environmental hazards, pointing out that a social committee will be formed to take care of citizens who need assistance. Also, he said the conditions of the residents whose circumstances forced them to leave their countries and seek refuge in the Kingdom will be corrected at the will of the government and society.
