CAIRO: Kuwait’s Ministry of Public Works is taking an innovative approach to tackling the problem of fine sand accumulation—known locally as “safi”—by transforming a recurring environmental challenge into an economic opportunity. “Instead of issuing contracts for sand removal, the Ministry is working on issuing contracts to sell the removed sand to factories and farmers, which benefits the state and promotes sand recycling,” said Dr Asmaa Al-Azmi, a representative of the ministry. She added that the ministry is in the process of converting traditional removal contracts into auction-based agreements to better leverage this initiative.

Al-Azmi made these remarks during Kuwait’s participation in a regional meeting hosted by the General Secretariat of the Arab League in Cairo, where Arab countries gathered to share experiences related to road safety and environmental management.

In her presentation, Al-Azmi highlighted Kuwait Vision 2035 and its National Development Plan, emphasizing the country’s commitment to efficient public administration and sustainable infrastructure. She pointed to efforts underway to improve road safety systems, especially in areas affected by sand encroachment.

She noted that the accumulation of drifting sand on external roads has posed serious safety hazards, citing data on traffic accidents linked to this issue, along with statistics on the volume of sand removed annually.

To address the challenge, Al-Azmi stressed the importance of multi-agency collaboration. She pointed to active partnerships between the Ministry of Public Works, the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS), and the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR). These agencies, along with the Environment Public Authority, make up a national committee currently developing a policy document titled “Mitigation and Control of Sand Encroachment in Kuwait.”

Last month, the Ministry of Public Works issued two open domestic tenders for the removal of accumulated sand from roads in the northern and southern regions of the country. Results of the tender have not been released.

Al-Azmi said the committee is also exploring ways to repurpose collected sand for economic activities such as agriculture and industry—an approach that reflects the state’s emphasis on sustainable, circular practices. Speaking to KUNA after the meeting in Cairo, she praised the exchange of experiences and ideas, particularly from delegations representing Jordan, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Qatar, and Somalia. She stressed the value of sustainable solutions, noting their positive financial, social, and environmental impact. — Agencies