Environmental scam

When a building, administrative system, or institution is founded on flawed principles and managed by individuals with limited mentality, it becomes extremely difficult to correct the resulting damage. This applies to any project, whether in the health or education sector. The issue of the Mishref wastewater treatment plant, which has endured 16 years of inactivity, repeated maintenance, and subsequent breakdowns, is a clear example. This situation has taken place under the supervision of the Environment Public Authority, the Ministry of Public Works, the Ministry of Health, and other relevant bodies.

There appears to be no clear or decisive solution in sight for this environmental crisis, which has had a serious impact on residents of several blocks in Mishref, as well as beachgoers and consumers of fish caught along the coast. The problem began in the summer of 2010, when an electrical fault caused the plant’s distribution panels to catch fire, halting pump operations for several days. With the delay in finding a solution, sewage overflowed, forcing the diversion of highly polluted wastewater into a backup overflow channel, which was ultimately discharged into the Gulf. Fish in the area found abundant food, and the weight of the Mead fish increased to nearly one kilogram, after previously weighing no more than 200 grams. The area became filled with a foul odor, and the seawater became polluted. The contractor was summoned and investigated but was released without any charges being filed.

The contractor had previously delivered the station fully operational. The warranty period had expired; therefore, he was not responsible for the subsequent malfunctions. The air and sea pollution continued for several months until the repair work was awarded to a large local company. However, due to financial reasons, the company decided to cease its operations, and the project was transferred to an international contractor in collaboration with a local contractor. After a while, the international contractor withdrew due to financial and administrative reasons. The local contractor continued to struggle with the project, encountering further difficulties and ultimately having to replace the entire pumping system.

The station resumed normal operation after approximately one year. The problem reappeared at this station, this time due to a power outage that caused the pumps to stop working. Batteries were used, but they proved faulty due to the absence of a maintenance contract covering them. The malfunction caused the station’s closing gate to sag and become stuck, further worsening the problem.

As usual, the ministry had no option but to divert millions of cubic meters of wastewater into storm drains, which ultimately led to the sea and ended up affecting marine life. Pollution levels in Kuwait Bay have risen significantly, and attempts to repair the station continue to this day. All of this stems from the disastrous lack of maintenance contracts for such vital stations and the resulting administrative and technical chaos. I do not blame the energetic Minister, Noura Al- Mashaan, for this problem.

Al-Mashaan inherited a weak and dilapidated system. Some individuals with no background in environment or engineering are supervising and managing the ministry’s engineering department, its technical and administrative bodies, and other technical matters. As the English saying goes, “The blind are still leading the blind.”