It was nice to read that Sheikh Abdul Latif Al-Asheikh, president of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice replied positively to a number of queries raised by prominent reporters and editors in an exclusive session (Arab News, Aug. 6). He assured that Haia's strategy is based on showing leniency and mercy to people and this will be implemented in the proper way.
He also revealed that Haia has a number of highly qualified and capable Saudi youths who are expert in the fields of Shariah, media and IT, including holders of master's degree, who are spreading the culture of transparency and good manners in their dealings with people. He also said that if any errors are noticed on the part of the Haia men, then Haia will correct them and strive not to repeat them.
It is also a very positive indication that Al-Asheikh has directed the Haia men to find time to visit the sick people at hospitals, attend public forums and distribute booklets that are informative and useful for the public rather than just monitoring people adhering to prayer timings. His stress at the need for maintaining reputation of the commission through dignified behavior of its members is also laudable.
Unfortunately, some people are creating confusion and a wrong impression about Haia, but the fact is that Haia is doing a great and important job that prevents people from vice and promotes virtue in society, which can be described as a noble cause without any doubt. (Zakaria Sultan, Riyadh)
This is in reference to the article by Dr. Abdul Rahman Al-Zamil, (Delayed projects hamper national development, Aug. 4). Let us get right to the point. Committees of whatever combination is a waste of time and effort. Just apply proven contracting policies and procedures of Saudi Aramco to the letter, including their various pro-forma contract documents, and we will be in good shape.
Those policies and procedures cover every single aspect of contract procurement activities: Legal, financial, commercial, technical, financial and technical pre-qualifications processes, project management, etc. They safeguard and protect the interests of both the client and the contractor.
However to do that, you will need to develop an organizational structure tailored for such an undertaking. One prudent solution for such development is for the government to set up a centralized ministry with responsibilities for all government projects that include a mandate to coordinate with all government and quasi-government agencies. This way accountability will focus on one entity.
Saudi Aramco have done precisely that with SCECO East and Maaden; and I do not see why this should not be applied to the government. All it would take as a kick-off is a professional and management team seconded by Saudi Aramco to implement the organizational structure, including the implementation of the policies and procedures coupled with recruitment of highly professional personnel in the various specialties.
The methodologies and resources are readily available to us, why not benefit from it. (Mohammad Al-Bassam, By e-mail)
Letters — Positive efforts by Haia
