I RECENTLY watched an interview on social media with Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, His Majesty the King’s adviser for humanitarian work and youth affairs and Bapco Energies chairman of the board of directors conducted by Kuwaiti reporter Ammar Taqi.
He spoke with pride and honour of Bahrainis’ readiness to assume any position or responsibility, recalling a visit to Bapco Refining Company complex during which he had directed chief executive Dr Abdulrahman Jawahery to employ citizens for the largest refinery modernisation project the company had undertaken.
This was so Bahrainis could gain the necessary experience of the stages of the project and to participate in every small and large technical aspect so as to rely less on foreign expertise.
I appreciated Shaikh Nasser’s keenness to follow up to ensure that his directives were being implemented, as he himself pointed out during another visit to the refinery several months later.
During the interview, he mentioned that the company currently employed 500 Bahrainis, and he made sure to greet them one by one, praising their high morale and loyalty to the company.
Shaikh Nasser also informed His Majesty the King of the results of his visit, assuring him that he had more important news than modernising the refinery, which was the appointment of these young Bahrainis for the project, assuring His Majesty that they would be unknown soldiers.
Much more was said during the interview but I wanted to highlight the part where Shaikh Nasser singled out the Bahraini human element.
I raise my hat to him for this generosity that warmed the hearts of all Bahrainis, making 500 Bahraini families happy. The Bahraini has proven that whenever he is given the opportunity, trust, respect and necessary training, he will excel and be sincere in his work.
Thanks go to Dr Jawahery for his follow-up and strenuous efforts for achieving the aspirations and directives of Shaikh Nasser.
The issue of employment of Bahrainis requires a political decision. If we can apply this in one company, we can certainly apply it in all companies, banks and private institutions.
There are many jobs vacated by foreigners that can be replaced by deserving Bahrainis. Most of the Gulf governments issue mandatory decisions to employ national workers at many work sites, so why not apply the same decision here? There is no doubt that His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, will not rest until this issue, which has become a concern for every Bahraini family, is resolved.
A final word. Shaikh Nasser deserves to be written about more widely and comprehensively as he is a first-class inspiring leader. The feelings of love, loyalty and devotion he garners on social media are from the heart as he is a leader and role model for young people. As they say, “The best words are those that are little and kind.”
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