Saudi- SR5bn allocated for Riyadh flood drainage projects 

(MENAFN - Arab News) A meeting of the Riyadh Provincial Council expressed satisfaction at the allocation of SR5 billion to complete flood drainage projects in the city.

Riyadh Gov. Prince Sattam chaired the meeting of provincial council at the Al-Hukum Palace on Tuesday.

Another SR750 million has also been allocated to acquire land for the water the drainage works of Al-Sulay Valley, Secretary-General of the Council Sulaiman Al-Qanas said in a statement to the Saudi Press Agency.

The meeting also studied the viability of opening branches of universities in the south of Riyadh with the aim of easing traffic on the roads in the north of the city.

The meeting also commended the steps taken by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to ease the shortage of cement in the province. The ministry's steps included mandating cement companies to manufacture to the maximum capacity and supplying at areas where the shortage was acute.

The meeting also discussed the ministry's steps to ensure that cement traders did not exploit the situation to hike prices or not supplying at all. The ministry has also sought cooperation of the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources to ensure steady fuel supply to cement factories.

The council was also briefed on the report of the technical committee on bottled water factories to ensure the safety of the water they sold.

The council also commended opening of the website opened by the Prince Sattam which people enables people contact the ministry or lodge their complaints or put their suggestions.

The meeting also discussed the needs of various towns and cities in the province.