Saudi officials accused of delaying Jeddah projects

Five government offices have been accused by the Jeddah mayoralty for delays in executing US $266.9 million (SAR1 billion) tunnel and bridge projects at 18 of the city’s intersections.

The government offices are alleged to have not provided accurate and timely information on underground service lines at the project sites.

According to Dr. Ahmad Banafi’a, supervisor general of projects at the mayoralty, the government offices did not furnish the required information until the design phase of projects began.

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After the projects were handed over to contractors and prepared for the execution, service lines were detected in some locations.

“This was contrary to the information provided to us that there were no service lines at the sites,” he said.

The mayoralty stopped digging at the sites once the service lines were discovered.
 
The mayoralty has now been forced to undertake the task of covering the service lines which is “a complicated and a long procedure.”

In addition, the mayoralty must bear its cost.

Dr. Banafi’a said obtaining permits to stop traffic at streets adjacent to the sites of projects takes a long time.

Projects with obstructing service lines need an extended period of construction time.