‘Theft, public funds wastage will turn Kuwait into desert, poor country’
“THESE days, we are in the 31st anniversary of extinguishing the fires of hundreds of Kuwaiti oil wells that the criminal Saddam set on fire, and it is considered the largest environmental crime in history, as it harmed the entire world because oil laden clouds of black smoke were carried by wind to all parts of the continent and nearby countries witnessed the ‘oil rainfall’,” columnist Sami Abdullatif Al-Nisf wrote for Annahar daily.
“Surprisingly Saddam began destroying Kuwait and laying land mines around the wells from day one of his invasion, which means that he was aware of the inevitability of his quick exit and although he kept on lying that he was here to stay and not to abandon Kuwait even after a thousand years. If he intended to preserve it, why would he destroy it?
“The final intention of the criminal Saddam was not to stay in Kuwait, but to turn it into a very poor country and a barren desert and to add insult to injury Kuwait needed billions to extinguish the fire.
“What failed that scheme was the Kuwaiti genius who opened the door to the whole world to extinguish the fires. The matter was completed and achieved within a few months -- instead of many years -- so we preserved our wealth from the first day of liberation, and we should have worked to create alternative sources of income but we ended up in doing the opposite.
“Our dependence on a depleting resource increased, and the whole world decided to dispense with it within a few years, so what should we do then?”
“At last, through this article, we introduce those who were not born at the time of the crime of the criminal Saddam, and thanks to the Gulf, Arab and international brothers in liberating us and extinguishing the fires of our oil fires, and we warn them not to accept those who are deceived by the hostility of our brothers and allies in favor of the enemies who rejoiced for our invasion and danced to burn our wells.
“Unfortunately, many of the thefts and proposals to waste public funds in Kuwait and to fight the country’s openness and its transformation, like the brothers into an international financial center, will inevitably lead our country to the same outcome that Saddam planned, that is, we will become a barren desert and a very poor country, in the event of the next collapse of oil prices.”
“Since the speech of His Highness the Amir delivered by His Highness the Crown Prince, citizens have been in a state of optimism and joy over these reform changes that Kuwait is going through, but as soon as the government announced a package of appointments for leaders in the country, many worried about the return of what is known as parachute appointments,” columnist Dahem Al-Qahtani wrote for Al-Qabas daily.
“I checked the list of names and was frustrated. There is a non-specialist who is appointed to a position that does not match his degree or experience, and there is an academician, despite his certificate, is placed in a position that also requires experience that he does not have.
“It seems that the government, in the presence of a loyal National Assembly, facilitated this appointment process and thought that it would pass easily, without thinking that the enlightened public opinion would not allow the situation to return to its previous state of chaos.
“Brilliant MP, Dr. Jenan Boushahri, asked a parliamentary question about these appointments, in which she revealed that the Cabinet did not adhere to the legal controls for the appointments of leaders, and I do not think that the government will withstand an early interrogation that Boushahri might prepare about this dangerous transgression.
“That is why I advise the current government to stop implementing the decrees appointing these leaders, and to adopt only those who meet the legal requirements.
“Just as Prime Minister Ahmad Nawaf Al-Ahmad changed the composition of the current government by replacing ministers who were unable to take the oath, he is able to address this dangerous transgression.
“The legal controls that were contained in the Civil Service Law to appoint leaders were applied to many candidates in previous years, and some were unable to bypass them because they ensure that the right man is put in the right place, so the government is required to return to the truth, and avoid falling into the quagmire of parachute appointments.”
“Whoever followed up the activities and meetings of the ‘Save the World Summit’ held in Sharm El-Sheikh, which American President Joe Biden attended recently, will discover there has been an agreement to fast track the elimination of fossil fuels (oil) — originally scheduled for 2050,” columnist Sami Al-Nisf wrote for Annahar daily.
“It is noted that even 2050 is considered very early, as the world will not wait until the last day of 2049 to stop using oil. Rather, it will be preceded by decades of sharp decline – more than 50 percent – in demand for oil. Then, the severe collapse of oil prices, considering the current opportunity to invest in alternative energy sources and reduce their prices.
“While we were preoccupied with the political struggle, our brothers in the Gulf – the latest was Saudi Arabia, created a diversified economy as an alternative to oil. We are the only ones in the world that are totally dependent on fossil fuels.
“So, to prevent that dark future, we must start using our savings to find alternatives for oil, instead of buying unused vacation days and increasing pensions. We have the right to choose transforming Kuwait into a center for finance, manufacturing, tourism and services.”
“What should be said about the rain disaster?! Save time. We will report whatever is published after the rain, while the official reaction is repeated as if it is a surprise that happens for the first time! Where did the money go?! Where is the infrastructure?! How long will we drown in a rain shower?! How long will we regret what has been happening?!” columnist Dr Naji Al-Zaid wrote for Al-Jarida daily.
“Suddenly, there is neither entry nor exit in most areas due to the rain. Suddenly, there is a forced prison full of heartbreak over this condition including the destruction of superstructure and infrastructure! Everyone asks who are the contractors in charge of roads, bridges and sewers?! Who will compensate the State and the affected population?!
“After that, the government, unilaterally or in cooperation with the old legislature, forms investigation committees that end with familiar statements and lines, which are often characterized by covering up the contractors and owners of big companies! Money was lost ... roads were lost ... and many facilities and individuals’ properties were lost with them!”