Jeddah was wracked by floods in 2009 and 2011. Photo: Getty
Saudi contractor Nesma has started work on an enormous reservoir at the city’s old airport area as part of its $212m commitment to protect the city from ferocious flash flooding.
Jeddah was hit by two major floods in 2009 and 2011 that killed more than 130 people, left thousands homeless and destroyed countless business, vehicles and livelihoods.
The Saudi government launched remedial works immediately and, in July, handed Nesma 12 of its 14 flood works contracts. Nesma was also handed an exceptionally short 110-day time frame to complete them.
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“Our company is working around the clock to complete the project as quickly as possible following instructions from Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal,” Saleh Al-Turki , Nesma chairman, told local newspaper Arab News.
“My approach to these projects is different from other works, and I wanted to complete all these projects with perfection, irrespective of the cost it incurs,” he said.
The company is working on the 12 projects in separate locations simultaneously. The work is due to be completed by the end of the year.
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