Saudi Arabia’s water minister sacked after complaints over tariffs (water crisis)

The National (UAE) ^ | April 24, 2016

[TigerLikesRooster]

Saudi Arabia’s water minister sacked after complaints over tariffs

April 24, 2016 Updated: April 24, 2016 07:10 PM

RIYADH // Saudi Arabia’s King Salman fired the water and electricity minister following public complaints over a surge in prices less than six months after the government cut generous utility subsidies.

Agriculture minister Abdel Rahman Al Fadhli will take over the water and electricity post from Abdullah Al Hasin, the official Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday, citing a royal decree.

Saudis turned to social media to express their anger after the increase in prices of water and the consumer protection association asked the government to reevaluate the decision.

Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said earlier this month that the ministry’s implementation of the new water tariff was “unsatisfactory".

In March, the Arab News daily reported that Mr Al Hasin had called on citizens to get permits to dig their own wells in the face of increasing complaints about high water bills.

[onedoug]

Maybe they can buy water from Israel.

[Ken H]

They must’ve been steamed.

[Domangart]

They are heavy users of desalinized water to grow wheat.

[dp0622]

I hope they suffer death by a thousand cuts.

And if somebody worse takes over, well, dont we have a few thousand nukes of varying strength in our arsenal?

[moovova]

Let them drink sand.

[bert]

water was not the problem

having to paying for water was the problem

[Vince Ferrer]

In March, the Arab News daily reported that Mr Al Hasin had called on citizens to get permits to dig their own wells in the face of increasing complaints about high water bills.

Saudi Arabia has been drying up for centuries. But their use of wells tapping the water table has been draining their underground water drastically. They have or are about to stop farming wheat, and are starting to import hay from the US.