Arab Times

Beam of light in pitch darkness

- By Ali Ahmed Al-Baghli Former Minister of Oil Al-Baghli Email: ali-albaghli@hotmail.com

KUWAIT Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha) announced last week that the reform plans reflected positively on Transparen­cy Internatio­nal’s Corruption Perception Index for 2018. Kuwait Transparen­cy Society has applauded and endorsed this announceme­nt as Kuwait improved its rank — 78th out of 180 countries with 41 points out of 100.

The report indicated that Kuwait advanced seven notches globally, jumped to fifth position among Gulf countries and eighth in the Arab world; given that it was ranked 85th globally in a similar report in 2017.

This news is like cool water in our mouths, quenching our thirst after a period of being lost in the desert where the scorching day seems endless.

Indeed, corruption, which is being witnessed in everything, has hit every pillar of the society that was known for its honor and integrity before being overwhelme­d by such a dark wave.

In the past, corruption was limited to certain agencies in the government such as Kuwait Municipali­ty which HH the Amir described during his tenure as prime minister: “Its corruption cannot be carried by two camels.”

Now, it is widespread in all pillars of the State along with the executive and legislativ­e authoritie­s in a manner which embarrasse­s corruption in the Municipali­ty.

This good news came three years after the inception of Nazaha. We were eager to experience its impact in terms of combating corruption.

We waited for quite a long time due to our thirst for rooting out corruption, not because we had no confidence in the agency or its members. After the agency organized itself, it gave us good news about Kuwait improving its ranking in the corruption index.

We hope to see more of this improvemen­t year after year until corruption is completely eradicated.

On behalf of the honorable people of this country, we extend hands of appreciati­on and gratitude to the hard working head of Nazaha – Abdul-Rahman Al-Namash – and every member of its board, as well as its personnel who have proven that they, together with their leaders, are competent, sincere and patriotic.

During one of the occasions at Nazaha, I met its head Al-Namash. I saw and felt in him the national spirit, diligence and sincerity in his work. He has high sense of hospitalit­y and courteousn­ess in dealing with those governed by Nazaha Law. I hope this becomes a trend in government agencies when dealing with the relevant caliber of citizens.

Finally, all that is left to say is to fully support those who are sincere in this nation, hoping to see the fruits of their labor in crushing the caves of corruption for our society to see more beams lighting up the darkness of corruption being endured in almost every aspect of life in our beloved country.

 ??  ??

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Kuwait