Riyadh: 19 officers to regulate infrastructure projects and operating permits
In a strategic move aimed at transforming the urban landscape of the Saudi capital, the Riyadh Infrastructure Projects Center , through its "Istilaa" platform, released a draft of 19 new regulatory controls. These controls aim to govern the work of those authorized to undertake infrastructure projects, ensuring higher levels of compliance and transparency, and enhancing the quality of implementation according to the highest international technical and professional standards.
The context of urban transformation and keeping pace with Vision 2030
These regulatory measures come at a time when Riyadh is experiencing an unprecedented urban and developmental boom, in line with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 , which aims to make Riyadh one of the top 10 city economies in the world. Infrastructure work and its associated challenges have long posed a significant obstacle, impacting traffic flow and the city's overall appearance. Therefore, the center's intervention through these regulations is a crucial step towards ending haphazard excavation and coordinating efforts among various service providers, thereby enhancing spending efficiency and extending the lifespan of projects.
Control details: Specific obligations and powers
The new regulations aim to establish general rules governing the obligations and rights of all parties without discrimination. According to the draft, the center will issue a "practice permit" to the owner, granting it broad powers including registering projects in the detailed master plan, applying for business licenses, and managing the relationship with project implementers (contractors) by registering or suspending them.
Regarding responsibilities, the regulations obligate the owner to ensure the competence of the contractors, quality laboratories, and consulting offices registered with the center, while bearing full responsibility for monitoring licenses from issuance to closure, and addressing any violations that may occur during implementation.
Complementary roles: supervisor, implementer, and consultant
The controls precisely separated the roles to ensure there were no conflicts of interest:
- Supervising Authority: Committed to registering projects according to the approved methodology and strict field supervision.
- The contractor: His role is limited to the actual implementation, while obligating him to professional safety and quality standards, and the necessity of obtaining licenses before starting work with a sufficient period of time.
- Quality laboratories: They were granted the authority to conduct accurate tests and measurements, and were obligated to submit periodic reports proving that the work conforms to international standard specifications.
- Consulting offices: They undertake the tasks of monitoring and supervising performance, approving implementation plans, and immediately informing the center of any potential risks at work sites.
Expected impact and conflict resolution mechanisms
The implementation of these regulations is expected to reduce project timelines and minimize financial losses resulting from redoing substandard work. It will also positively impact the quality of life for Riyadh residents by reducing traffic closures and visual pollution.
Regarding legal aspects, Article Fifteen stipulates that the center is responsible for amicably settling disputes between parties within 30 days, while preserving the right to resort to the competent court if reconciliation proves impossible. The regulations also emphasize the prohibition of impersonating a "licensed" entity, imposing strict fines and penalties on violators. These provisions will come into effect 60 days after their official publication.
