RIYADH: Minister of Transport Jubarah Suraisari says there is a critical need to examine the cause of delays in government projects around the Kingdom, Saudi Press Agency reported.
The minister told participants of an Institute of Public Administration (IPA) symposium that they should follow a scientific approach to examine key elements that cause delay or failure to complete these projects.
“Yet the Kingdom in the era of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah meticulously takes new steps in comprehensive development and implements an unprecedented number of projects Kingdom-wide,” he said. Developmental indicators and reports of international organizations are proof of this.
Suraisari said: “One who looks at the Kingdom will see it working eagerly where projects of different sizes are being implemented in the areas of energy, transport, health, education and human resources, which will boost security, stability and good living standards in the Kingdom under the direct support and guidance of the king.”
He said some projects are not completed on time and many are at a standstill. However, this situation is not limited to the Kingdom and is seen in other countries experiencing similar developmental booms. “It is important to adopt a scientific approach to find out the causes leading to these delays,” he added.
The minister said there is a need to explore if delays are caused by bureaucratic, financial or administrative reasons or due to employment shortfall in qualified technical or administrattive fields.
Abdulrahman bin Abdullah Al-Shaqawi, director general of IPA, said the government is spending generously in line with the royal guidance to boost development and improve investment opportunities in the Kingdom and achieve economic growth and create job opportunities for citizens.
He referred to new projects in the current budget year valued at SR 265 billion, representing 38.5 percent of the budget in addition to projects funded from budget surplus of which SR 250 billion was allocated this year to finance the construction of 500,000 new homes.
The symposium centered on the procedures and methods of implementing government projects, project shortfalls and methods to deal with them, as well as successful local experiences in project management.
IPA symposium explores causes of government project delays
