Khalaf Al-Harbi

Okaz newspaper



The scarcity of land is a problem that is exacerbated day after day. It has been complicated and its threads intertwined like a giant wool ball driven by the wind in the vast desert. Schools are looking for a foothold. Similar is the case with hospitals, courts houses and cemeteries. No one has the luxury of dreaming about a park in the neighborhood as long as the impossible task of finding a plot of land for a school in the district is still at the back of their mind.



The Ministry of Education needs to double its budgets to build schools due to the scarcity of land. And the Ministry of Housing needs to explore vacant land not owned by anybody to realize part of its ambitious plan.



Vast areas of land have disappeared due to carelessness over time. Perhaps a single plot of land has more than one title deed or owner.



Vacant plots are being scattered in an ugly way in every city, as well as along every remote desert road and beach. 



So far, we are not aware of the gravity of such a situation. We deal with the issue of scarce land as an intricate problem that we cannot solve. Therefore, we have to coexist with this problem in any way even if it leads to depleting budgets and disrupted development.



However, the population is increasing, their needs are multiplying and, therefore, postponing a decisive and fast solution to this problem means that we are leaving behind for our future generations an exorbitant bill that is not affordable to them.



We need to pause seriously to address this issue before it is too late. There should be meetings between parties who can address this dilemma. Laws and regulations should be enacted to curb the loss of land. We have to slap taxes or fees on vacant plots to halt the monopolizing of land. No individual should have any opportunity to disrupt the entire community from securing their basic necessities of modern life.



I know that all those who read this article will feel exactly the same way when I say that no one will pay any heed to these words because they are being repeated daily without anyone listening.



I cannot read newspaper reports with regard to key organizations and departments begging for land in order to implement their projects without saying to myself and to you that this has become a grave issue. It will become the most dangerous one unless there is real intervention to address this problem.