260 Ramshackle Buildings in Al-Khobar to be Demolished

Saudi Gazette report

DAMMAM — The authorities demolished eight abandoned and ramshackle buildings in Al-Khobar after the local municipality ran an inspection campaign in the governorate.

Head of Al-Khobar Municipality Essam Al-Mullah said the inspectors marked a total 260 buildings for demolition due to their poor condition.

He said the ramshackle buildings tarnish the general view of the streets and pose as a threat to neighboring buildings and their residents.

The municipality records complaints from citizens about abandoned buildings in their neighborhoods that need to be cleared, Mullah said.

Some residents tend to dump garbage in abandoned buildings in their neighborhoods, providing an ideal breeding ground for all kinds of insects, he said, adding that this contributes to increasing pollution and the spread of diseases.

“These buildings also provide shelter to stray animals. The municipality has decided to demolish such buildings to safeguard public interest because no one is maintaining them,” Mullah said.

(Source: SaudiGazette.com.sa)