Saudi Arabia's Advanced Urban Project, Neom, Experiences CEO Departure Suddenly
Saudi Arabia's Advanced Urban Project, Neom, Experiences CEO Departure Suddenly
Neom, Saudi Arabia's ambitious urban development project situated in the heart of the desert, has experienced a change in leadership. Previously headed by Nadhmi al-Nasr, a Saudi chemical engineer, since 2018, as reported by both The Wall Street Journal and Reuters, al-Nasr has departed from the project, sparking speculation about the reasons behind his departure.
This futuristic city, presented by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, envisions transforming the desert into a utopian urban landscape filled with robot dinosaurs, flying cars, and an enormous artificial moon. The estimated budget for this project amounts to a staggering $500 billion.
Until recently, al-Nasr was responsible for overseeing this colossal undertaking. As per sources who spoke to Reuters and The Wall Street Journal, al-Nasr's departure was due to failing to meet construction deadlines. In his place, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), has taken charge.
Neom has faced numerous challenges for quite some time. The sheer scale of this project is beyond the capabilities of any nation. Central to the project is The Line, an extended linear supercity initially intended to accommodate 9 million inhabitants. It would stretch from The Red Sea to the city of Tabuk, featuring enormous mirrored skyscrapers to its side. However, the construction and scaling back of ambitions have proven to be particularly challenging.
Approximately 100,000 workers currently reside in temporary cities constructed in Neom, many of them working on The Line. Al-Nasr was known for his demanding attitude, as reported in a leaked recording of a meeting. "I drive everyone like a slave," he once said. "When they drop down dead, I celebrate. That's how I complete my projects."
Regrettably, over 21,000 workers have reportedly died while constructing Neom, as described in reports from the British television network ITV. Migrant workers from countries like India, Bangladesh, and Nepal have journeyed to Saudi Arabia for employment on The Line. According to estimates from the Hindustan Times, around 100,000 additional workers have disappeared.
Constructing a gleaming metropolis in the desert has proven to be a more demanding task than expected, causing both fatalities and financial strain. Cost overruns have also been reported, with the initial $500 billion budget having expanded to an estimated $2 trillion by some critics.
The PIF, however, only has a $1 trillion budget to allocate towards this project.
The future of Neom's technology-driven developments now falls under the Public Investment Fund's (PIF) management, following al-Nasr's departure due to construction delays. With advancements in tech like robot dinosaurs and flying cars planned for the city, it's crucial to overcome these challenges to secure Neom's place in the tech-driven future.