The head of Saudi Arabia’s flagship Neom project has reportedly been sacked, dealing a blow to the multibillion-dollar construction programme, following accusations of bullying and claims that thousands of workers have lost their lives.
Nadhmi Al-Nasr has previously been accused of terrorizing employees, with a shocking claim published in the Wall Street Journal that she threatened to bury a 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 royals and overseeing Neom’s futuristic ‘gigaprojects’ and implausible media campaigns.
The centerpiece of the ambitious project is The Line, a barely believable car-free metropolis that will stretch 106 miles across the desert, while also promising “zero-gravity living” run by artificial intelligence and renewable energy.
Al-Nasr’s departure amounts to a major shake-up at the top of Neom, which is a major focus of the Crown Prince as he seeks to change his country’s 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: Conceptual images show the planned 106-mile-long megacity called ‘The Line’.
The Kingdom has also said that NEOM will feature a mountain holiday destination.
Pictured: Conceptual images show an imagined heavenly garden overlooking the Saudi desert.
Neom has not given a reason why Al-Nasr abandoned the project, but sources said The times and WSJ who was fired.
While the reason for his departure remains unclear, multiple allegations of bullying behavior have been leveled against the executive in recent years.
In 2020, following the withdrawal of sponsorship of the project by two video game companies over concerns about Saudi Arabia’s human rights record, reportedly held an emergency meeting with his communications team.
“If you don’t tell me who is responsible, I will pull a gun from under my desk and shoot you,” al-Nasr allegedly said.
At another meeting, of which the WSJ heard a recording, al-Nasr allegedly told staff: ‘I lead everyone like slaves… When they drop dead, I celebrate.’ This is how I do my projects.’
Al-Nasr’s apparent dismissal is the latest in a series of departures in recent months, with two other top executives believed to have left.
His replacement will be Aimen Al-Mudaifer, former director of local real estate at the Sovereign Public Investment Fund (PIF), which owns Neom.
Pictured: NEOM’s ‘Oxagon’, a futuristic port city, is seen in concept images
The PIF, which leads Saudi Arabia’s economic reforms, has fueled a real estate boom in the Middle Eastern state in recent years, and Al-Mudaifer’s election suggests the Crown Prince intends to press ahead with the project at despite the difficulties he has faced.
Neom has faced serious allegations over worker conditions and safety since its launch in 2017.
Last month, an investigation claimed that thousands of workers die each year, due in part to horrific working conditions and human rights abuses.
Figures reveal that 21,000 migrant workers from India, Bangladesh and Nepal have died since Vision 2030 was launched.
This shocking statistic is backed up by details of abuse and tyrannical treatment of defenseless workers in the upcoming ITV documentary Kingdom Uncovered: Inside Saudi Arabia.
The Kingdom relies primarily on a migrant workforce that heads to the region in search of a better life, but is often forced to work in brutal conditions for very little money.
Excavators and trucks work on the foundations of The Line
Construction workers seen operating excavators in drone footage captured in 2022
Neom has not given a reason for why Al-Nasr left the project, but sources told The Times and WSJ that he was fired.
Many claim their passports are confiscated upon arrival, meaning they cannot leave.
In addition to accusations of poor working conditions, the project has been plagued by delays and runaway costs, with the original $500 billion budget now ballooning to more than $2 trillion.
An adviser 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 move forward as planned, but others could be delayed or scaled back.’
Neom has been contacted for comment. Mr Nasr could not be located.