Eminent Domain, the process by which government expropriates privately owned real estate, is a touch subject around the world. Arab News reports that residents of Jizan are not at all happy with the way it’s being conducted in their neighborhood. Complains are largely focused on the adequacy of compensation being offered by the government.

The land is being seized to expand port facilities and infrastructure for the city of Jizan. As the government explains:

[The] port development program for Jizan which involves work on the fishing port, warehousing terminal and container freight station will be completed. A new complementary works project is also planned for Jizan which will provide new parking areas, roads, telephones, transit sheds, workshops, a control tower, a fire protection system and navigational aids.

But if the compensation being offered is truly not enough (not just exaggeration offered by the land owners to maximize their profits), then something has to be done in the name of fairness. From my keyboard, I’m in no position to know who has the right of this.

Crisis over Jizan house demolitions escalates
Hayat Al-Ghamdi | Arab News

JIZAN: The crisis over demolition of expropriated buildings in Jizan’s Al-Aishaima district escalated yesterday when a number of residents tried to obstruct bulldozers from doing the work.

The municipality has called for more security forces to disperse the protesters. A 30-year-old man among the protesters fainted and was taken to hospital by the Red Crescent.

Men, women and children stood in front of their homes in order to prevent the bulldozers from demolishing them. So far, a total of 30 houses have been demolished. Many men and women were seen scavenging for valuables, including household items, clothing and metal, in the debris.
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