Saudi projects ‘frozen in time’
Maybe it is time for the kingdom to take a leaf out of Dubai’s playbook and ensure timely completion of the work-in-progress
audi Arabia has undergone a massive transformation over the past several decades, but considering the money and resources allocated by the government to upgrade the infrastructure and quality of life, the country always seems to be falling short of the finish line. Sandwiched between some genuine accomplishments, examples of failures are present everywhere. The major cities in the kingdom are still devoid of an effective potable water network that leaves many homes at the mercy of the arrival of a water tanker for their household needs. Similarly, the lack of a sewage disposal network has given rise to an army of sewage disposal tankers that run about the cities, carrying their foul-smelling load.
The road networks, while connecting many of the country’s towns and cities, are criticised by users for lack of public service facilities along the routes. The absence of adequate gas stations, convenience stores and rest rooms along highways makes longer journeys often a challenging test of endurance. Public schools renting dilapidated buildings as institutions of learning have been severely criticised by parents over the years. While there has been some progress, parents feel it is not enough as many districts have yet to house their students in appropriate facilities.
Faced with such a scenario, many Saudis do not mince their words when it comes to evaluating present conditions. During a discussion that centred on the kingdom’s direction and progress, some Saudis expressed their views on the subject. A college professor said: “Now we are not talking about Malawi or Haiti here. Those countries are dirt poor with hardly any natural resources that could generate sustainable income.
“We are fortunate to be sitting on top of the world’s largest resources of oil. The government has been generous in its allocation towards improving the life of the kingdom’s residents. And yet I often feel that we cannot even match many smaller countries in proper public service facilities.”
‘Empty promises’
Another professor added: “The Shura council (Saudi Arabia’s consultative body) just laid it into the General Authority of Civil Aviation — Saudi Arabia’s airport authorities. They have finally said in public what we have been saying in private all these years. Fix up our country’s major airports. They are pitiful! We are embarrassed by their poor facilities. Enough money has been spent on them, but what have we got in return? Only empty promises every year!”
To that, a pilot had this to add: “I remember when a massive public announcement appeared on television and newspapers that Jeddah would have a completely refurbished airport by 2012. Yes, 2012. Then everything was quiet as the years slipped by, until the beginning of 2015 when the airports’ authorities announced that the refurbished airport would be open by the end of the year. It is now 2017 and the airport is yet to open. Bear in mind that during this time, Dubai has opened three new terminals and a whole new airport! If they can do it, why can’t we?”
A banking executive observed: “I remember Dubai when it was a fishing and trading village. The creek was all of Dubai. Even at the beginning of this century, there was not much to write home about. But look at them now. With fewer resources than us, they have surpassed every expectation and have presented themselves as an icon on the globe.”
With Vision 2030 in mind, there is no question that the kingdom’s approach to clearing out a massive backlog of unfinished projects must be accounted for. Maybe it is time to borrow Dubai’s playbook and study the emirate’s steps.