RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has sacked several senior officials including security commanders over corruption in major tourism projects, reported the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
Those dismissed by royal decree include the governors of the Red Sea coastal cities of Umluj and Al-Wajh, the head of border security and other local commanders, as well as officials from the Interior Ministry.
They are under investigation for facilitating encroachment on government lands that are part of tourism projects under development along the Red Sea coast in the historic city of AlUla and the mountain resort of Abha.
The violations had a “great impact on the completion of the projects” and caused “environmental damage,” according to SPA.
The royal order stated that based on what was received from the Royal Commission for Al-Ula Province, the Red Sea Company, and the Souda Development Company, over 5,000 cases of violations were reported against the lands of the Red Sea Project and Al Ula Province.
Following the findings that these infringements have been illegally authorized by some officials, the royal order stipulated the following:
Termination of the services of Lieutenant General / Awad bin Eid bin Awda Al-Balawi (Director General of the Border Guard) by referring him to retirement. Ending the services of the governors of: Umluj and Al-Wajh, and the head of the Souda Center. Ending the services of the commanders of the border guard sectors in Umluj and Al Wajh. Ending the services of the official responsible for infringements and his deputy at the Ministry of the Interior, and those responsible for infringements in the governorates of (Madinah, Tabuk, and Asir). Ending the services of the Secretary of Tabuk Region, and heads of municipalities of: Umluj, Al-Wajh, and Al-Souda. Ending the services of the person responsible for infringements in the municipalities of Madinah and Tabuk regions.
The Ministries of Interior and Municipal and Rural Affairs, and the governorates of Madinah, Tabuk and Asir are given a one-month period from this date to remove all infringements, and very strict measures shall be taken in the event of any further infringement after that.
The Control and Anti-Corruption Commission shall immediately investigate all the officials referred to above about their responsibility for the above-mentioned infringements, and take legal action against them, and submit the results.
