Why are local authorities not inspecting manholes periodically and replacing old covers with newer ones, residents ask.

The residents of the Al-Rabwah neighborhood here have expressed fear over the danger posed by the worn-out cover of a manhole near an elementary school, Makkah daily reported.

They have called on authorities to replace the old cover with a newer one to protect the safety of their children and road users.

Khalid Al-Ghamdi, a parent, said students and residents step on the cover accidentally while walking on the road on a daily basis.

“Something should be done fast to eliminate this danger posed by worn-out manhole covers,” Al-Ghamdi said. “They shouldn’t wait until it’s too late and they’d better act now.”

A father and his son lost their lives when they fell down an uncovered manhole on Prince Muhammad Bin Abdulaziz Street (Tahliah Street) a few weeks ago.

Just days later, a high school student in south Jeddah fell down a manhole with a worn-out cover.

Muhammad Al-Ghamdi, parent, said he wondered why local authorities were not inspecting manholes periodically and replacing old covers with newer ones.

Saad Al-Juhani, an Al-Rabwah resident, said the locals do not know where to go and who to talk to regarding the worn-out cover.

Jeddah Municipality spokesman Muhammad Al-Bogami said any manhole cover reports will be referred to the National Water Company.

If the situation is too dangerous, the company will place warning signs until they fix the problem.

However, if the manhole is located within the boundaries of a private property then the owner of the property should be the one responsible for ensuring the manhole does not pose any public danger, explained Al-Bogami.

 
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