At the opening of the 8th Water, Electricity and Power Generation Forum and Exhibition (WEPower 2012) in Dhahran on Monday, Deputy Minister for Water Affairs Mohammed Ibrahim Al-Saud said that the annual increase in consumption of water in the Kingdom is around 7 to 8 percent, which is amongst the highest in the world while the tariff for same is the lowest in the world. I believe that’s precisely the problem. And perhaps the reason for the rise in consumption due to the fact that we waste 20 percent of the total water we consume which translates into a loss of one million cubic meters per day. This is catastrophic; and we don’t even realize it.
Last Sunday, another alarming fact was brought to our attention. This time by Dr. Abdullah Al-Shehry, the governor of Saudi Electricity and Cogeneration Regulatory Authority. He said that the annual increase in electricity consumption is around 7 percent with excess expenditure amounting to SR 7.5 billion per year. Wastage of water coupled with increase in electricity consumption, if not checked, can spell disaster. The government is spending billions in infrastructure development, mainly power generation and water consumption, to meet our needs. It is unfair on them if we continue swindling their largesse and the precious and perishable resources of planet Earth. Knowing the way we are and the ignorant and indifferent attitude that we shamefully take, I don’t think things are going to get any better. The wastage and war on the planet will continue. I strongly believe that one sure way we can make people conscious and conserve water and energy is by raising the tariffs 10-fold.
(Feroz Khan, By e-mail)
Match-fixing allegations
According to media reports, officials of the Indian Premier League (IPL) have banned five players after spot fixing allegations and the Indian cricket board has ordered an investigation into the allegations. Indian Parliament also condemned match fixing in the IPL and demanded fair investigation. Only year ago IPL founder Lalit Modi lost his position after serious allegations of corruption. Due to commercialization, investment of black money and match-fixing scandals, the gentlemen’s game, cricket, is passing through a critical stage of its history. Despite some efforts, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has failed to control match-fixing incidents in international matches. Cricket observers believe that investment of black money has increased in competitions like IPL. Now bookies are ruling over cricket grounds. Players who are involved in match fixing getting huge amount of money as a reward. Several big names of cricket lost their reputation after involvement in match-fixing scandals. (Khawaja Umer Farooq, Jeddah)
Let’s lobby for peace
Let us gather consensus and support of all 57 OIC countries and let us make good use of our money with help and guidance from learned amongst the 1.6 billion Muslim population to lobby in favor of a real good presidential candidate in next US elections. Let us work smart and strive hard to turn this world of ours into a sane abode for all the humanity with so much and yet untapped natural resources triggering prosperity and promoting peace and harmony. No need to wage wars or topple governments while we can do all the reforms all over the world through an effective UN General Assembly with veto powers withdrawn and NATO dismantled. (Shuja R. Khan, Karachi)
Iqama transfer
My father died last year when he was visiting our home country. My mother, sister and I are dependent on my father’s iqama. I asked many people about iqama transfer and they say that my mother and sister should be transferred to my iqama (I am 19). My sponsor will be my father’s company, where I am working since three months. What is the process of transferring sponsorship? And will I have to do something about this or will my father’s sponsor take care of this? (Abdullah Omar, By e-mail)
Letters to the Editor: Energy conservation
