“SO does recent sanctions against Saudi Binladin Group (SBG) means the company has lost its contractor classification, and therefore its government projects and finance ratings?,” I was asked by Al-Jazeera English, as did Chinese CCTV and many others, following the findings and resolutions of the investigation on the fall of a crane in Haram's area, (Friday, Sept. 11). I told them that (SBG) is the largest contractor in the Middle East with national and international contracts worth SR459 billion ($120 billion), according to last week report by NCB Capital (NCBC), a subsidiary investment company of Saudi largest bank, the National Commercial Bank (NCB). The Group's loans are estimated at SR25 billion, which is only 10% of what they would be paid when they finish their current projects (SR250 billion or $67 billion). By far, SBG is the largest construction company in the region, employing over 270,000, mostly Muslims, including 28,000 citizens. This merit alone gives them a strong competitive edge. No other company matches their size, capabilities and experience when it comes to mega and complex projects, especially in the holy lands, according to the report. The 85-years old firm was established in 1931, by “Almualem” (Master) Mohammed Awad Binladin (1908-1967), as “Mohammed Binladin Establishment.” He was so successful with state projects that the founder of Saudi Arabia, King Abdulaziz, assigned him as the general manager of the newly established department, Government Projects and Buildings; and King Saud made him Minister of State. Public projects were assigned directly to him and he was paid the cost plus a profit percentage. In 1967, at the age of 59, Binladin died in an airplane crash, while checking a mountainous road project, in southern Asir region. To protect the firm, King Faisal Bin Abdulaziz assigned a committee of trustees, under his supervision, to manage the company. He also looked after the founder's children until they finished their professional studies oversees and returned to pursue their father's legacy. The eldest son, Salem (1946-1988), died in another airplane crash at the early age of 42, and his brother, Architect Bakr took over the chairmanship, under the supervision of another great King, Fahd Bin Abdulaziz. In 1989, Mohammed Binladin Establishment was restructured and renamed the Saudi Binladin Group. It ventured into related fields of manufacturing and power generation, in addition to their core business, construction. Government support continued during the reign of King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz and King Salman Bin Abdulaziz, who oversaw the firm's rise to become one of the world's greatest construction companies, with projects including the expansions of the two holy mosques of Makkah and Madinah, and the airports of Jeddah, Senegal and Kuala Lumpur. The preliminary report submitted by the committee commissioned by King Salman to investigate the crane disaster found that Binladin neglected certain safety procedures, and therefore is partially to blame. No criminal act was found, and the case was submitted to the Bureau of Investigation and Prosecution to present it to court of law. Meanwhile, the company classification as a contractor was put on hold till a judgment is made. The victims would preserve the right to sue for compensation, in addition to what the government granted them. The royal act is prompt, just and decisive. It is an important message for all that no one is above the law; and to contractors that no negligence is tolerated, especially if it caused human lives. However, the royal decree is very precise and clear. It indicates that the suspension of the company classification is temporary, depending on what the court rules and the Finance Ministry reports on the safety procedures followed in all SBG public projects. Current projects are to be continued and should not be affected by the classification suspension. Some doomsayers took it as a sign of darker days to come. They mourned the end of a great legacy. Others found it an opportunity to condemn the company and teardown a history dotted with world-record achievements. In such moments, our sense of justice, honor and partiality are tested. Those who found it an opportunity to attack, judge and humiliate the group and its owners failed the integrity test. Some of our writers were less professional and fair than the most critical foreign media. I have no doubt that the Saudi Binladin Group will continue to be a crucial partner in the country's development and progress, and shall welcome the court judgment, whether in their favor or not. I am also certain that SBG technocratic management will do its best to correct what may have gone wrong and continue to build on the firm's great heritage. The patriotic sons of Mohammed Binladin will, forever, be thankful and loyal to a nation that has been appreciative of them, and to a leadership that has been very generous, supportive, protective and instructive. — Dr. Khaled M. Batarfi is a Saudi writer based in Jeddah. He can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him at Twitter:@kbatarfi
