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Few people in Jeddah know about a rundown area in the southern part of the city, locally known as Little Jamaica (Jamaica Al-Saghir), which around 50 years ago was home to immigrants from the tiny West Indian island after which it is named.
“Immigrants from Jamaica came and took up residence in the area, which lies in the western part of the Ghulail district,” said Ali Muhammad Al-Ghamdi, the neighborhood mayor of the area.
Little Jamaica is considered one of the poorest and unorganized areas of Jeddah; it is also known to have a high crime rate.
This correspondent visited the area, but before going deep into the neighborhood paid a visit to the mayor. Looking at the people visiting the mayor’s office, it was clear that the area is home to lots of problems. Some people came to complain that police had detained a relative, some reported robberies and others complained about the anti-social behavior of certain locals.
“The western part of Ghulail is worse than the eastern part, which is well organized and a lot cleaner than here,” said Al-Ghamdi, who was able to speak for just a short while.
When the residents learned that a newspaper reporter was with them, they spoke their mind and asked for their problems to be highlighted.
Abu Salem, a Yemeni father of four who lives in the area, said the place is always unclean and that there is no security. “The place is infested with overstayers who make this area very insecure for us,” he said.
It was also clear that the area is extremely dirty. One resident, who asked his name not be published, said that the municipality trash collectors hardly visit the area and that garbage is left uncollected for weeks.
“This place is unfit for living. How can you live here while surrounded by garbage? There are diseases everywhere because of potholes full of water, which breed insects and mosquitoes,” he said. “This area is known for dengue fever. What we want is equal treatment, the same treatment that neighborhoods in the north of Jeddah get,” he said.
Rats entering and leaving homes, and scurrying along alleyways and streets were seen.
One young man complained about abandoned homes and empty enclosures, which are full of snakes, scorpions and other dangerous insects. He also showed a ditch inhabited by dangerous snakes and scorpions, and said that children in the neighborhood are afraid to come near this area or walk close by.
“There are other suspicious activities that take place inside the enclosures such as drug dealing. Some neighborhood residents have taken advantage of the place and started to throw garbage inside,” he added.
An old man sitting in front of his house said, “The municipality has abandoned the area. They are aware of all of the problems here. However, they refuse to solve them,” he added.
Unhygienic eateries were also seen. Mayor Al-Ghamdi seemed concerned about the residents. Children, he said, played in unsafe areas surrounded by garbage.
“We need parks, efficient public service and proper roads and streetlights,” he said. “We cannot organize summer programs for children because there are no facilities in the district. There is no space to build new schools,” he added.
Al-Ghamdi said that police try to combat crime in the area. However, they are hindered in the work they do because of narrow roads. “Most youths in this neighborhood are unemployed. There are many robbery incidents at night. Strangers are not advised to walk inside the neighborhood at night to avoid the risk of getting into trouble. Night activity does not exist and there is no entertainment for the youth,” he added.
“We’ve asked the authorities many times to provide basic services. They promised each time that they would keep us in mind in the upcoming plan for the area. It has been a very long time now and I do not know how long it would take for the plan to be executed,” he added. Original Article: Arab News
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