What happens after oil runs out?

By Dr Khalid Al-Saleh

All of us, with all our classes and levels know that oil is a commodity that will run out, and this carries risks that threaten next generations future. Our worries increase each time oil prices drop, a justified worry for us Kuwaitis, as oil is our only source of income, and we, ever since we know oil luxury, did not hear or know any alternative plan that reduces our dependence on this lonely source.

All of us, with all our classes and various cultural and economic levels, know that oil carries inevitable risks with it, most important of which is that its price may drop to below the benefit from it, or even to less than the cost of its production and the second danger is for it to run out just like any commodity that is withdrawn from.

Of course, our beloved decision makers, who have the future of our children in their hands, did not have plans against the risks and the reason is that they, our beloved leaders, do not feel the risks, as the collapse of oil prices does mean anything to them at all, as they all secured themselves and their next generations against the risks of need and shortage of prosperity until judgement day.

But for us, the rest of the people, if they viewed us as part of the people, we are of no value, we write and scream for many long years, but no one cares for us and no one listens to us. Today, we see most oil countries succeeded in having other sources of income and we are still walking in place, our future is uncertain, statements are many and shootings are deafening and knives are near our necks and we do not know when the importance of oil will decrease or its prices will drop.

All that we know that we once again are dealing with anxiety, the anxiety that is only felt by the people who do not own palaces in the European and American resorts with huge accounts that are enough to send reassurance in the hearts of those who longer feel us, individuals who became like guests who do not feel the people, they are among us for a certain coming time only, guests until the last drop of oil. What is the solution for this anxiety that surround us each time and reflects on the Psyche of Kuwaitis, so complaints increase, groaning rises, and a cloud of frustration shrouds our country?

I have my opinion the solution is to withdraw the balances of all leaders abroad, be them legislatives or executives, selling their properties abroad in favor of the state’s treasury, the states treasury that will be at the hands of the people when need arises, then anxiety will get them like us, and they will think with us about alternative plans for the source of our income. There is no solution other than that, but for the screams of the educated, economists and others, which became chronic, has no effect or benefit, as the hearts of our leaders do not know anxiety, and the last interest in them is having alternative plans for issues they do not think it threatens their future. Share our worries with them so they see what we see.

local@kuwaittimes.com

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