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Provincial System
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Map of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, showing major cities and provincial capitals
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To further raise the efficiency of administration and to promote the continued development of the county's provinces and their extensive social services programs, King Fahd promulgated new bylaws for the Provincial System. The new measure, he stated in a royal decree, is designed to "enhance the efficiency of administration and development in the regions of the Kingdom... preserve security and order and guarantee the rights of citizens and their freedom in the framework of shari'ah."
The bylaws divide the country into 13 provinces and define their administrative structure, the manner in which they should be administered and the responsibilities of the governors and regional officers. In 1993, King Fahd named 210 members to the Provincial Councils of the country's 13 provinces. The councils deliberate on the needs of their respective province; work on the development budget; scrutinise future development plans and monitor ongoing projects.
"We are confident that the system, with the grace of God, will be beneficial in the achievement of the well-being, progress and prosperity of the Saudi citizen, his country and his Islamic and Arab nation. The Saudi citizen is the main pillar of the development and progress of his country, and we. shall spare no effort to achieve his happiness and welfare." - The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz
The governor and vice-governor of each province act as chairman and vice-chairman of their provincial council. Each council is composed of a minimum of ten private citizens who are experienced in their respective fields. Each has specialised committees to deal with various issues of interest to the province. Reports issued by the Provincial Councils are submitted to the Minister of the Interior and passed on to the appropriate government ministries and agencies for consideration. The Provincial System divides the Kingdom into thirteen provinces and names the Provincial Capital for each. They are:
- Riyadh Province -- Riyadh
- Makkah Province -- Makkah
- Madinah Province -- Madinah
- Al-Qasim -- Buraidah
- Eastern Province -- Dammam
- Asir Province -- Abha
- Tabuk Province -- Tabuk
- Hail Province -- Hail
- Northern Border Province -- Ar'ar
- Jizan Province -- Jizan
- Najran Province -- Najran
- Baha Province -- Baha
- Jouf Province -- Sakakah
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