Following my article last week on the pitiful state of affairs at the KAIA (Jeddah Airport), it was indeed gratifying to hear that heads have indeed rolled. The airport director general who had glued himself to that seat for over 20 years of indistinct achievements was abruptly replaced.
My initial response was that I had been afflicted with a heat stroke and must have heard wrong. But sure enough, I had heard right. This is a positive and encouraging move by the government, an act that was well received by much of the public who have endured years of suffering by segments of the civil sector under some of the most asinine bureaucracy known to man.
Governmental bureaucrats in other sectors might take heed that this proactive move is just the beginning. Ineffectual heads of the public sector are suddenly put on notice that there is going to be a measure of accountability, and that they can no longer treat their sectors as a personal fiefdom to indulge in personal growth, riches, and ambition at the expense of the public.
And there are many other public service sectors that the government should be looking at. Transportation, communication, health and education come to mind. It goes without saying that the public service rendered in this country in this time and age is inefficient and wasteful at best.
The culture of some of the public service sectors is infested with personal ambition, nepotism and corruption. And all of this at the expense of the public for whom they are supposed to serve. Being appointed the director general of these agencies with the freedom to indulge in the organization as their own personal empire must come to an end. Unless the needs of the public are met in accordance with established standards, these sector heads must be removed quickly.
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Drive up to any stoplight today and you will be most often than not be met by a beggar seeking alms. In the heat of the afternoon sun, it is not unusual to see an Asian lady carrying an infant in her arms as she scampers and treads her way through traffic, knocking on vehicle windows for her daily pittance. Or an African child, barely beyond his toddler years pleading for your generosity. Or a little Afghani girl not over three feet tall insisting you purchase some chewing gum.
This has become a growing epidemic in the city, and subjects these children to a great deal of harm in errant traffic. Seated in your vehicle, it is not difficult to miss these toddler-age children and possibly run them over.
It compromises their safety and well being, and thrown against the forces of a merciless sun and the high degree of heat, it is certainly cruel. Just why are the authorities allowing such kind of child abuse?
While we may be good Samaritans, the constant pestering and tug at our giving nature has hardened many a soul. And although I sometimes privately rebuke myself for not giving in to their pleas, where do we stop? They are everywhere now. Weaving at traffic lights, accosted outside supermarkets and restaurants, and even met at your front gate.
Published stories of some very wealthy beggars with trunks full of money have certainly not gone unnoticed among most of us. And while we genuinely try to help those in need, how can we sort the real needy from the fakes? And if I can notice these beggars daily, so could the relevant authorities. They should all be rounded up, for their own safety and security. The real deprived ones then can be given the proper care and comfort. And I would be more than willing to contribute my share. But until then, let’s not allow these innocent little children to suffer any longer, misused and mistreated in the heat of an unrelenting summer.
