RIYADH, 17 January 2003 — Dr. Ghazi Al-Gosaibi, minister of water, has responded to comments by a Saudi researcher who stated that natural rainfall in the Kingdom provides enough water not only to satisfy the needs of the local population but potentially of up to one billion people if used properly.
Dr. Gosaibi told the Saudi Press Agency that the comments were “scientifically inaccurate”.
“Both scientists and ordinary people know very well that no matter how well we carefully utilize rainwater it could never be enough for one billion people, not even 20 million people,” he said, alluding to the Kingdom’s population.
He added that research into the Kingdom’s natural water resources from the time of King Abdul Aziz has consistently shown that it is scarce and needs to be used carefully. He also advised the media to contact specialist centers in the Kingdom before reporting wild claims by self-appointed experts.
Dr. Gosaibi also mentioned that other reports that fresh underground lakes and rivers have been discovered were equally baseless.
