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The Riyadh Infrastructure Projects Center will be tasked with the issuance of licenses and oversight of infrastructure projects in the capital, as per rules governing the sector published in the official gazette Umm Al Qura last week. The rules, which were approved by the Cabinet over the summer, aim to improve the quality of life, enhance urban landscape and ensure spending efficiency.
Scope + responsibilities: With the new rules, the center becomes the main authority to issue licenses for infrastructure projects before commencement of work. The center’s scope of authority allows it to amend, renew, withdraw, revoke or cancel licenses whether temporarily or permanently, along with fees collection.
Ironing out the details:License duration and fees are determined based on type of works with permits valid for a duration ranging from a month to up to 300 days. The fees range from SAR 0.1-SAR 20 depending on activities. The set infrastructure works include those for roads and highways.
A look at violations + penalties: The rules outlined two types of violations, with minor violations including failure to put signs with the name of the project/contractor on the site’s barriers. It set serious violations as working without permits, failure to renew licenses, shutting down roads, causing damage to public property and others. Penalties range from SAR 1k up to SAR 50k depending on the severity of the violation, with violators getting only one day as a correction period. Contractors can appeal the penalties within 60 days of receiving a notification order through specialized administrative courts, with penalties not enforced until the appeals period has passed.
