Saudi Arabia’s king has sacked the Minister of Water and Electricity Abdullah al-Hussayen amid public anger over price hikes, state media reported.
King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud yesterday issued a decree ordering al-Hussayen’s dismissal and replacement in the interim by Minister of Agriculture Abdel Rahman al-Fadli, the official Saudi Press Agency said.
His removal comes after the government reduced subsidies on electricity, water and other services.
Last month, the Arab News daily reported that Hussayen had called on citizens to get permits to dig their own wells in the face of increasing complaints about high water bills.
Earlier this month the newspaper said that the advisory Shura Council “appeared unconvinced” when its members grilled al-Hussayen and his officials about the bills.
In December last year, a series of unprecedented reforms were adopted in the desert kingdom, which has been hit hard by the steep fall in global oil prices over the past two years.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is seen as the architect of the reforms, is to set announce today a program aimed at diversifying an economy that depends on oil for 70 percent of state revenues.
The Saudi prince last week was quoted as saying increases in water tariffs had not been implemented in line with the plans.
Power demand growth in the kingdom is estimated at around 10 percent a year.
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