Power outage: Villa owners seek to meet Makkah Emir

By Wael Abdullah
Saudi Gazette

MAKKAH — Representatives from the owners of the villas in Al-Rasifa in Makkah violating architectural code are seeking to meet Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Emir of Makkah region, to look into their complaints about disconnection of power supply from their villas for more than a week now.
The concerned authorities at the Makkah Mayoralty have disconnected the power supply citing safety concerns after the owners produced certificates issued by unauthorized agencies.
The owners were asked to obtain certificates from authorized engineering consultation offices to verify and approve the safety.
The authorities have identified 1400 villas and they are disconnecting the power supply of 20 houses each on daily basis.
Supply was restored to the villas where the owners paid a fine of SR200, 000 for violating the architectural code.
Some owners protested saying they lack financial resources to pay the fine even as they continue to live with their families.
Mahab Mustafa Abbada, head of Al-Sharqia Municipality branch in Makkah, said the Saudi Electricity Company had acted on the orders of the Makkah Emirate and the Makkah Police.