By Yousuf A Al-Azmi

“Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do, and they will surprise you with their ingenuity.” – Gen George S Patton

era has its own circumstances, consequences and missions, and there is dire need for extensive periodic review for what has passed, to look into the present and expect what will happen tomorrow. This is why I found it important to speak about some observations that are important and have influence in fulfilling hopes of development and correcting plans amid the importance of the current stage due to the change of many in the front row in the new government. Also, the new parliament is expected to be in harmony with the government due to the close political approaches among them.

The start will be with the posts of governors and mayors, and those who monitor the work of governorate administrations in Kuwait. There is no real influence in the administration and development of the governorate. Even the post or entity known as “area mayor” has no actual influence, which made many wonder whether appointments in these important posts are a formality.

If we look closely, we notice that they indeed are only a formality with prestigious names that may be considered a reward for a certain personality, for social influence that will not go beyond that. I do not think there is a government that intends to work with a sound and successful administration and leave such matters without an actual remedy.

The above does not mean that such posts should be scrapped; but there is supposed to be a true will to activate the posts in a way suitable for expected jobs they are supposed to carry out or supervise. These posts are registered as sovereign, such as governor, and they are supposed to be occupied by qualified personalities, scientifically and practically, and appointments should only be made according to accurate and transparent rules.

I remember a few years back there was competition for a mayor’s post between several persons. The actual competition was over wasta, the most important standard for appointment, under the knowledge of concerned authorities, of course. Here we ask: Does the government have the right to speak about administrative reform, while such logic-defying behavior is done under its own watch?

There is no doubt that the most important administrative reform is its departure, and this is what took place lately. So among the most important duties of any government is to plan and execute developmental jobs of all forms in a way that achieves the country’s public interest, and this requires qualified human cadres able to administer such duties. Maybe the post of governor or mayor are important posts for supervision and monitoring, and require granting realistic authorities so that they can participate in the development system and not only be a scarecrow!

A final and important notice, directed at the government entity concerned with these posts: If authorities are not given to these posts, they should be canceled. The money saved should be spent on other parts of the budget so they may be more beneficial. But for the situation to remain as is, we are talking about an honorary post with no benefit or return!

We are going through a time when no appeasements are accepted. As time goes by, respected countries develop, advance, present tangible achievements and activate the authorities in a way that agrees with the law. There is no room for honorary posts that have no expectations of achievement from them!

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