MP urges full geological survey of Kuwait
KUWAIT CITY, Nov 19: In light of recent events, MP Khaled Al-Otaibi submitted a proposal to conduct an allinclusive geological survey in order to chart the Kuwaiti terrain and prepare technical requirements for construction of dams and artificial lakes as precautionary measures in case of heavy rainfall and flashfloods in the coming years.
He quoted an environmental and weather expert as saying that the geographic location of the State of Kuwait makes it one of the frontline states against climate change. He pointed out the recent floods which caused damages to properties reflect the State’s failure to tackle climate change and geological precursors before building its infrastructure.
He added the experts also concluded that the Kuwaiti soil has become water repellent due to intense heat during summer, leaving no place for heavy rainfall which is funneled aboveground and causes flashfloods.
Therefore, the MP proposed a national project, with the help of international institutes, to conduct a geological survey in order to update charts, taking into consideration the climate change and its impact on the land.
Results of the survey will be used as basis in protecting areas, especially the heavily populated ones, from natural disasters in the future by building dams, artificial lakes and tree belts which will contribute to loosening dry soil to make it more absorbent.
The survey will also identify rainfall hotspots which are predicted to increase in the coming years. This valuable information could contribute to efforts to augment the country’s water reservoir and reduce the cost of operating water desalination plants.
In another development, Chairman of the parliamentary Health Affairs Committee MP Osama Al-Shaheen said the nationalization of the pharmaceuticals field is delayed despite the fact that its implementation will open 825 pharmacist positions for nationals in the public sector and thousands in the private sector.
Minister of Health Bassel AlSabah responded to the MP’s queries on the issue, disclosing there are 647 Kuwaiti pharmacists and 825 non-Kuwaiti pharmacists currently employed in
the Ministry of Health; while the number of office clerks totaled 12,494 and 599 of them are non-Kuwaitis.
He also pointed out that the law governing this field obligates each pharmacy to employ at least one Kuwaiti pharmacist, but the government failed to impose penalties on pharmacies proven to have violated the law. He affirmed the Kuwait Pharmacists Society is ready to link all Kuwaiti pharmacists with private pharmacies to help resolve this issue in view of the government’s delay.