Municipality readies Makkah for Ramadan

Thousands of laborers will be working around the clock to keep the holy city of Makkah clean during the month of fasting that commences July 9. The Makkah Municipality has approved a comprehensive plan to clean, collect garbage and monitor shops to ensure they adhere to food and safety standards. The workers will be deployed along roads and tunnels and ensure that streetlights and flood drainage systems work. A municipality statement said yesterday that over 8,500 workers with equipment would be used, particularly in the Central Zone during the month. Additional workers and equipment will be deployed to cope with emergencies during the last 10 days of Ramadan. The mayor will head the supervisory committee for Ramadan, with the support of deputy mayor, directors and top officials of the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs. There will be 28 teams to eradicate insects, rodents, and stray dogs and cats. The teams will have 432 supervisors, technicians and drivers supported by 192 pieces of equipment for disinfecting and removing stagnant water, the statement said. Municipal inspectors will make frequent visits to commercial establishments and markets to ensure adherence to hygiene and environmental health standards. Public health facilities will be inspected in collaboration with the General Administration for Environmental Health. There will be close monitoring of food shops. Samples will be collected from eateries, water companies and ice factories to ensure they are hygienic. The municipality plans to take 140 food samples daily throughout the month. The fuel stations and cafeterias on highways and mobile cafes will be inspected to ensure that they are engaged in licensed activities. There will also be committees to monitor prices at markets, kiosks and stalls. Inspections of slaughterhouses and meat shops will be beefed up to ensure that slaughtered animals are healthy and the shops and workers are following health regulations. The municipality will work with the Agricultural Department to ensure that animals meant for slaughtering are free of contagious diseases. The committee will take steps to protect people from old and dangerous buildings. Preparations are also being made to tackle any emergency such as fire and floods, the statement added. SOurce: Arab news