A local paper recently published a report saying that officials in the Comoro Islands have asked Prince Alwaleed ibn Talal to “stand by the Muslim Comoro people and help finance a major power plant to provide electricity to the republic’s three islands.” The prince, according to the report, has pledged his support.
Also in the same paper that day was the story of a Saudi in Sakaka in the northern region who said he had to buy a generator in order to provide electricity for his newly-built house. The man said he had been forced to do so because electricity had not reached the area. He talked of visiting the power company in his city, hoping to see electricity extended to his neighborhood which he described as large and fashionable. All his attempts ended in failure. The Sakaka man’s situation is not unique; many others who have moved to new areas lack such basic services as water and electricity. While some have chosen to buy generators, others have kept their houses locked and moved elsewhere, waiting for the day to see electricity become available in their areas.
I hope Prince Alwaleed will be tolerant upon reading this: What price all these donations outside the Kingdom, if we still have more than 3,000 villages without electricity? To put it more precisely, Your Highness: Which is more important — to repair your own house or that of your neighbor?
Arab News From the Local Press 7 January 2003
