Firms and factories are dumping hazardous chemicals onto sites in the Eastern Province (EP) with no regard for the environment and the negative effects on the health of residents.
“The Eastern Province is one of the most important industrial zones in the Kingdom. Numerous plants, oil companies and factories have set up a hub here. This has taken a heavy toll on the environment,” said Rajeh Al-Rajeh, a resident of the region.
He said many of these companies use empty lands in cities, known as white lands, and the districts where construction works have not yet been completed to dump garbage and raw materials. The companies have no regard for the threats the chemicals pose on the general health of the population.
Al-Rajeh demanded that the authorities allocate locations for waste producing companies, away from the urban areas to limit the effects on humans and the environment. “There should be mechanisms in place to supervise operations of dumping waste and the leftovers of damaging raw materials,” he argued.
Another citizen, Faisal Al-Mensef said the weather in the EP is moderate in springtime and citizens take advantage of the nice weather to picnic in the wild. “Many of these locations have become dumpsites,” said Al-Mesef. “Factories and plants take advantage of the lack of supervision and people in the area to dispose their harmful materials.”
He urged the authorities to put into effect strict controls and supervision on the sites, with penalties and fines to prevent these violations.
Awareness programs on the dangers of environmental pollution should be held for citizens, said Abdul Rahman Al-Shahri, a resident in the province.
He pointed out that the firms and plants in the area must comply with the directions of the Civil Defense, and the Presidency of Meteorology and Environment (PME) for the correct way to dispose of such materials.
Brig. Abdullah Al-Khashman, director of the Civil Defense Department in the Eastern Province said the tasks of his department included checking the internal environment to make sure all safety measures are provided, with emergency exits available at any time.
“Civil Defense teams conduct regular inspection tours in these factories and plants to check their compliance with the safety measures,” said Al-Khashman.
“The Presidency of Meteorology and Environment puts in place rules and regulations for the protection of the environment, and regulates the actions that could have an implication on the environment and individuals as well as to control the pollution levels and safeguard the natural resources.”
He explained that the regulations include ensuring when digging or excavating to move or store the dirt. When burning leftovers or any activity resulting in emitting gases or vapors, these materials should be discarded using the appropriate methods, and the emissions should be within the permissible levels.