JEDDAH: Residents in South Jeddah districts have expressed their great concern about a group of illegal residents who collect waste and leftovers in open spaces in the middle of Al-Tahalwai, Al-Ajwad, Prince Fawaz Housing Complex, Prince Abdul Majed Model District and Al-Marid areas. The residents have urged security authorities to take action against these people so that they are protected against security and environmental risks. Area residents said a large group of African illegal aliens have settled in a mountainous area to avoid detection by authorities and use it as a center for their illegal activities. They collect the garbage and waste, sort it out and sell it to factories that recycle leftovers such as empty cans and cartons, said the residents, who confirmed that authorities don't know about the illegal activities of these overstayers who pollute the environment and pose a security threat. Residents said this group is working in at the site of a dump that was removed two years ago and in doing so, they are reviving the same dump area that was one of the most polluted and contaminated areas in Jeddah. Okaz/Saudi Gazette reporters who visited the areas were stunned by the scene of wooden houses these African overstayers made, pointing out that this is happening in the complete absence of security authorities. The Africans said this city they have made serves as a safe haven for their illicit activity; they have closed entrances to it with sand barriers. They remove these barriers when they receive trucks on which they load leftovers and the supplies such as water and food. Reporters informed officials about this illegal activity, but they simply said they had no idea about it and advised them to report the matter to the Jeddah Mayoralty.
