Jubail’s residents are concerned about how the city’s infrastructure will cope with the influx of employees into Jubail Industrial City.
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Jubail residents have called on major Saudi Arabian countries to help clean up and repair their city after it was hit by severe floods earlier this year.
According to a report by Arab News, residents have accused private industrial companies of making billions annually and not helping to improve the city’s infrastructure or provide jobs for Saudis.
“The population of the city has increased because these companies and their employees occupy towers and compounds. The companies have offered nothing to Jubail. The employees have become a burden on the city that has been neglected by officials,” Ahmed Al Qarni, a resident, told the newspaper.
Another resident, Raeed Al Harbi, complained that Jubail city was predominantly occupied by employees of big companies.
“These companies insist on housing their employees and workers in Jubail even though they work at Jubail Industrial City and Ras Al Khair. This has caused rentals and housing prices to increase,” he added.
“In addition, they have not contributed towards the city’s infrastructure, which is deteriorating all the time,” Hussain Al Qarni, also a resident, said. “I think that the municipality has not succeeded in doing its job to provide for this huge population. Most of the city’s inhabitants are now employees of the private sector,” he added, urging for there to be greater pressure on companies to help alleviate the situation.
Fadil Albuainain, an economic expert, said that the government should pass laws to force companies to set up a fund, deducted from their profits, to help ugrade Jubail’s infrastructure. He mooted an amount of $13 million annually.
“Jubail has not received any financial contribution from the industrial sector even though the city has been the most affected by the procedures of various companies, which has also placed pressure on facilities from too many workers,” he explained, adding that the development of the city should be placed at the top of companies’ social responsibility programmes.
With the industrial sector in Jubail generating $9.3 billion in profits annually, Albuainain said that it was unacceptable that it was not giving back to the city.
“The huge factories of these companies surround Jubail and endanger the city and its environment. They also endanger the health of residents.” He asserted that the companies would not provide support unless an official body forces them to do so. He said laws and regulations should be strengthened to ensure companies deliver on social responsibility projects.
“The industrial sector has many responsibilities toward the community including providing jobs for Saudi citizens and qualified graduates from Jubail who are unemployed in the largest market for industrial jobs in Saudi Arabia.”
“There are many other responsibilities they must take up including building schools, medical centres, social centres and sports clubs. They should also create gardens and support charities.”
“Companies should support development programs and fix critical issues. They should actively contribute to merging the Jubail community with the workers in the industrial city.”
He said the two communities should not be separated in a “society that ensures equal rights for all.”
Jubail Mayor Naif Al-Dawish said some companies have contributed to the local community.
“The city demands more because it has become the workplace of the country’s biggest industrial companies. We are ready to help companies fulfil their responsibilities toward society and help the city become prosperous.”