The Saudi Cabinet today issued directives for the restructuring of the municipalities sector, and the introduction of elections for municipality councils, in order to promote participation by citizens in local affairs.
The directives allow for no more than a one-year grace period for the relevant authorities to finalize procedures to implement the restructure.
The major municipalities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are: The Holy City of Makkah; Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah; Riyadh Region; Jeddah Province; the Eastern Region; Asir Region; Al-Qasim Region; Jazan Region; Al-Jouf Region; Tabuk Region; Hail Region; the Northern Border Region; Al-Baha Region, and Najran Region.
The directives also restructure the subordination system of the municipalities, which affiliates smaller municipalities to larger ones. In accordance with regulations issued by the Minister of Municipality and Rural Affairs, rural assemblies are to be linked to municipalities.
General Directorates of Municipalities and Rural Affairs currently existing in some regions, including Makkah, Riyadh, Asir, Qasim and the Eastern Region, are void. However, the special share in the state budget allocated for each municipality and rural assembly will remain unchanged. Responsibility for land allotments will remain part of the functions of the Ministry of Municipality and Rural Affairs. Municipality services in the cities of Jubail and Yanbu will remain under the authority of the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu.
A temporary committee will be formed to decide how to distribute and deal with buildings, property, documents and equipment owned by the abolished Municipality and Rural Affairs Directorate General and the Directors General of former directorates.
Source: SPA
