Chronic Shortage of Water in Wealthy Saudi Arabia due to Lack of Accountability and Abuses of Public Wealth
By Dr. Ali Alyami
Despite its huge income due to the gouging of oil prices, Saudi Arabia suffers from poor public utility performance and coverage. There are water and electric shortages in most areas, including major cities like Jeddah, Makkah (Mecca) and Medina. Saudi resources are available; however the political will to address these concerns is not. Due to a lack of prioritization of these issues, misuse of public funds, and bureaucracies that are fearful of confronting the royal family’s inept and shady policies, the maintenance of public utilities is poor. Additionally, a total absence of public and private accountability and transparency as well as government control over all public utilities and decision- making prevents needed reforms from being enacted. With a large national income and the availability of modern technology, these chronic problems should not be difficult to correct. In order for these problems to be adequately resolved, public utilities must be privatized, putting people in charge of their own affairs. The privatization model will help develop flourishing education, transportation, communication, oil, religious and banking institutions and facilities. Concurrently, solutions lie in the decentralization of power so that citizens can have a say in decisions that affect every aspect of their lives. Without providing the people with a stake in the system, they have no incentive to work for a better tomorrow.
The present political, economic, educational, religious and social structures are not designed for nor can they absorb the rising demands and expectations made by a highly consuming society, the majority of whose population is under the age of 21. The Saudis are among the world’s heaviest consumers, yet most of their commodities are imported, and with that comes the need for the more than 6 million expatriates that operate and facilitate the country’s basic necessities and functions. The presence of large expatriate population increases the demand for, and efficiency of, water consumption and distribution. All of these issues require innovation and vision that demand educated and independent technocrats, managed by enlightened and visionary bureaucrats, who are accountable to all citizens instead of protecting the interests of one family.
http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1§ion=0&article=87627&d=4&m=10&y=2006