OUTLOOK — By Ali Al Matani — Although it is time for us to invest in oil revenues and the other revenues in developing and diversifying our income resources, there is some form of erosion of the state’s financial resources which has been unabated and with no future vision to post-oil era. This lack of future vision raises fears and concerns in the hearts of the wise.
Everyone concerned have to review and reconsider themselves again on this attitude on their part. Let us take the famous saying: "Save your white cent for your black day" as our guideline in this regard. Unfortunately, what we are observing is a frantic race to exploit the state resources, with no care about what the future holds for us and for our future generations in terms of challenges and obstacles.
There is a little — if any, interest in how to manage resources better, thinking of changing ourselves to adapt to the local and international developments around us, searching for successful alternatives by which we may heal our wounds, make the impact of the future on our sons more or less and build a nation that is less dependent on black gold.
Are we not aware of future challenges or run as hard as we can without taking a breath to evaluate what has been achieved?
No one can deny the large number of claims and demands forwarded from different state agencies and establishments to the government, without considering the various possibilities, on one hand or searching for alternatives on the other hand.
Things are moving now with no previous thought or planning, no outlook and no future vision.
It is astonishing that we are not having an outlook that explores the opportunities hidden in the future for our sons or a coherent and integrated view to the ways by which we shall be able to manage the future so that next generations can enjoy a satisfying life and promising future.
We have to crystallise clear plans to invest the state’s current resources and what is available of non-oil revenues and resources in a way that can ensure a safe tomorrow.
The government and the Oman Council are more concerned than others to find and form the frames, regulations and plans to reduce consumption on unnecessary aspects, in addition to not approve or respond to every claim or request submitted by any agency or establishment whatever these claims and requests are.
Both government and the Oman Council have to work on investing all current revenues in a better way that can ensure a better future, particularly in the sectors that are able to grow more and have sustainability, such as tourism.
