The Agriculture Authority ... Before the Problem Worsens
We previously wrote about the Agriculture Authority, stating that an institution which is supposed to represent greenery, beauty, and environmental protection should not see some of its facilities degenerate into scenes of neglect and chaos.
Today, as we follow reports on ongoing investigations into administrative violations within the Authority, we affirm the principle that an accused person is innocent until proven guilty, and that the judiciary and investigations are the ultimate arbiters in determining responsibilities.
However, in my view, the issue is broader than individuals or infractions; it is a matter of management, oversight, maintenance, and the proper use of resources.
This underscores the importance of the commendable efforts undertaken by His Excellency the Minister of Development and Sustainability to address pending files and correct the course. These efforts deserve support, because genuine reform is not limited to addressing visible flaws, but involves rebuilding the system to prevent their recurrence.
Perhaps the simplest step the Authority could take, and the one most directly connected to people’s daily lives, is to resume regular and organized maintenance of its trees, gardens, and facilities.
There are trees left unchecked until they exceed their boundaries, blocking streetlights, covering signage, and impairing visibility. In some cases, their roots even crack and damage sidewalks.
Maintenance here is not merely an aesthetic concern, but a matter of public safety, infrastructure protection, asset management, and safeguarding public funds.
A tree planted to beautify a place and serve the environment should not, due to lack of maintenance, become a source of harm.
Furthermore, the file of agricultural holdings requires a comprehensive and transparent review, starting from the criteria for grants and eligibility, and extending to monitoring actual usage, conflicts of interest, and procedural integrity. This process should leverage digital transformation to build an accurate and up-to-date database for every holding.
We need an Authority that knows what it owns, who was granted what, why it was granted, how it is utilized, and who oversees these processes.
Kuwait lacks neither goodness nor talent; it needs management that improves the utilization of these assets and oversight that prevents flaws from escalating.
Therefore, we say to His Excellency the Minister: May God assist you in reform. What is required today is not merely the maintenance of trees, but also a thorough review of systemic weaknesses, so that the Agriculture Authority can regain its role, status, and the public’s trust.
