Abandoned buildings in North Shuwaikh stand in ruins years after eviction, awaiting redevelopment

As the eviction period drags on and the current year draws to a close, the appearance of the abandoned buildings is increasingly becoming desolate and hideous. During the day, the area resembles a ‘ghost town’, empty and teeming with stray animals, and at night, it is enveloped in utter darkness. What makes the scene even worse is that the area is surrounded by picturesque Kuwaiti landmarks like the headquarters of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC), the Ministry of Oil and Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Center (Kuwait Opera House).

The Second Ring Road, which has been completely reforested, adds to the splendor and beauty of the part before this vital and beautiful road ends in a hideous sight. The goal of the eviction was to use the seaside part of the area for the implementation of massive investment and commercial projects. However, since the eviction in 2016, the headquarters of the old public benefit associations in that area have remained empty. The buildings are either demolished or wide open, revealing old furniture, not to mention the state of neglect and chaos, as if they are in ruins. The newspaper interviewed experts and former officials in these associations who witnessed the beginning of the eviction.

Overgrown trees and crumbling walls defi ne the neglected landscape of North Shuwaikh

They expressed their regret that the area has not been exploited until now, stressing the importance of activating the decisions issued regarding it years ago, which included the need to utilize it for huge investment and commercial projects, calling on the Ministry of Finance to quickly convert it into economic or tourism projects. It can be recalled that the Council of Ministers issued a decision to vacate the area based on the letter of the Ministry of Finance containing the results and recommendations of a working group assigned by the Public Services Committee in its meeting held on Feb 1, 2011, headed by the Ministry of Finance and including representatives of the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL), Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor and Kuwait Municipality to carry out a study on the properties located in North Shuwaikh that were being utilized by public benefit associations and to provide the Secretariat General of the Council of Ministers with a comprehensive report on the issue.

Former Vice President of the Kuwait Accountants and Auditors Association (KAAA) Abdul Latif Al-Ahmad reviewed the first eviction letter, stating that “in 2001, eviction decisions were issued to the public benefit associations in North Shuwaikh.” He revealed the government proposed allocating new sites for these associations in Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh -- 400 square meters for each association. “At the time, the associations discussed the issue with the government, as this space is insufficient and the location itself is not suitable,” he elaborated. He said that he worked hard until the association obtained a prime land measuring about 1,600 square meters. He pointed out that the associations were reluctant to evacuate, but the State compensation alleviated their suffering. He confirmed that his association received financial support from His Highness the late Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad to build on the land, in addition to support from the then Crown Prince HH Sheikh Nawaf Al- Ahmad.

Dilapidated structures and open pits dominate the abandoned North Shuwaikh area years after eviction

He stated that other public benefit associations also received plots in various areas, in addition to the financial support from the State. He is surprised that the area vacated by the associations years ago has not been utilized to date, especially since the evacuation took place between 2013 and 2016. He stressed the need to use this area for investment projects that serve the national economy, so it does not remain a breeding ground for garbage and neglected furniture, not to mention the dilapidated buildings. In addition, former Chairman of Kuwaiti Contracting Companies Union Dr. Salah Buresli called for using the old association buildings in the area, which is currently a ‘ghost town’. He wondered why these buildings have been left as they are despite their location overlooking the sea, and why they have not been utilized for tourism and entertainment projects or for small businesses. He pointed out that the State pushed for the evacuation of buildings in the area based on a study conducted at the time, which specified pumping more than KD20 billion, in cooperation with the private sector, to utilize the buildings in the area for investment and commercial projects that align with the aspiration of the State to transform into a global and regional financial and commercial center.

Political analyst and head of the Civil Conservative Party Hamad Al-Numaisi believes that North Shuwaikh is a distinguished area, expressing regret that it has been neglected since the evacuation, until it became a deserted area infested with stray insects and rodents. He pointed out that the State could have used this seaside area for BOT projects like Souq Sharq, which is the best example of the success of this type of project in Kuwait. He stated that this area, which is close to the Ministry of Oil, requires the implementation of the decisions issued years ago regarding the evacuation of public benefit associations, considering the government announced then that the area would be allocated for economic and investment projects.