Major blow for Saudi Arabias Neom megacity as project chief is FIRED after threatening to bury a worker in the desert and urinate on his grave
The boss of Saudi Arabias flagship Neom project has been sacked in a major blow to the multi-trillion dollar construction programme, according to reports, following allegations of bullying and claims that thousands of workers have lost their lives.
The boss of Saudi Arabias flagship Neom project has been sacked in a major blow to the multi-trillion dollar construction programme, according to reports, following allegations of bullying and claims that thousands of workers have lost their lives.
Nadhmi Al-Nasr has previously been accused of terrorising employees, with a shocking claim published in the Wall Street Journal that he threatened to bury one worker in the desert and urinate on his grave.
The Saudi executive was hand-picked by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and had led the project since 2018, answering directly to the royal and overseeing Neoms futuristic giga-projects and far-fetched media campaigns.
The centrepiece of the ambitious project is The Line, a scarcely believable car-free metropolis that is planned to stretch 106 miles through the desert, while it also promises zero-gravity living run by AI and renewable energy.
Al-Nasrs departure amounts to a major reshuffle at the top of Neom, which is a major focus of the Crown Prince as he aims to change his countrys international image and diversify away from oil as part of his Vision 2030 initiative.
Nadhmi Al-Nasr was hand-picked by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and had led the project since 2018
Pictured: Concept imagery shows the planned 106-mile long megacity called The Line
The Kingdom has also said NEOM will feature a mountain holiday destination
Pictured: Concept imagery shows an imagined sky garden looking out over the Saudi desert
Neom has not given a reason as to why Al-Nasr has left the project, but sources told The Times and WSJ that he was sacked.
While the reason for his departure remains unclear, multiple allegations of bullying behaviour have been levelled against the exec in recent years.
In 2020, following the withdrawal of sponsorship of the project by two videogame companies over concerns about Saudi Arabias human rights record, he reportedly held an emergency meeting with his communications team.
If you dont tell me who is responsible, Im going to take a gun from under my desk and shoot you, al-Nasr allegedly said,
In another meeting, a recording of which was heard by the WSJ, al-Nasr reportedly told staff: I drive everybody like a slave... When they drop down dead, I celebrate. Thats how I do my projects.
Al-Nasrs apparent firing is the latest in a string of departures in recent months, with two other top executives believed to have left.
His replacement will be Aimen Al-Mudaifer, the former head of local real estate at the sovereign Public Investment Fund (PIF), which owns Neom.
Pictured: NEOMs Oxagon - a futuristic port city - is seen in concept imagery
The PIF, which steers Saudi Arabias economic reforms, has driven a real estate boom in the Middle Eastern state over recent years, and the selection of Al-Mudaifer suggests the Crown Prince intends to push ahead with the project despite the difficulties it has faced.
Neom has faced serious accusations over worker conditions and safety since its launch in 2017.
Last month an investigation claimed that thousands of labourers are dying every year, due in part to horrific working conditions and human rights abuses.
Figures revealed that 21,000 migrant workers from India, Bangladesh and Nepal have died since Vision 2030 was launched.
This shocking statistic is supported by details of abuse and tyrannical treatment of helpless workers in the upcoming ITV documentary Kingdom Uncovered: Inside Saudi Arabia.
The Kingdom relies primarily on a migrant labour force who head to the region in search of a better life but are often forced into brutal working conditions for very little pay.
Diggers and trucks work at the foundations of The Line
Construction workers are seen operating excavators in drone footage captured in 2022
Neom has not given a reason as to why Al-Nasr has left the project, but sources told The Times and WSJ that he was sacked
Many allege their passports are confiscated upon arrival, meaning they cannot leave.
As well as accusations of poor labour conditions, the project has been plagued by delays and runaway costs, with the original budget of $500 billion now ballooning to more than $2 trillion.
An advisor associated with the projects, who chose to remain anonymous, told the BBC over the summer that Saudi Arabia is reviewing its ambitious plans.
The decision will be based on multiple factors, he said. But there is no doubt that there will be a recalibration. Some projects will proceed as planned, but some might get delayed or scaled down.
Neom has been contacted for comment. Mr Nasr could not be reached.
