RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs has approved two companies to manage, operate and maintain gas stations on the Kingdom’s regional roads. Aljeri Transportation Co., a Saudi joint stock company, and Al-Nour United Est., will run gas stations in accordance with approved qualification principles, standards and controls. On behalf of the Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qassabi, deputy minister for technical affairs, Khalid bin Mohammed Al-Jammaz, handed over qualification certificates to the two firms. By increasing the number of qualified companies, which now totals 20, Al-Jammaz said the ministry aimed to create positive competition among site operators through the provision of excellent and high-quality services to traveling customers. The deputy minister added that the stations and service centers complemented each other and as well as providing fuel offered mosques, restrooms, restaurants, and other facilities. Officials of the two companies stressed their keenness on working to develop the sites.