after all a guy on the ground is not going to hit anyone or declare a fuel emergency
If only....
At least almost, during last Hajj season we had a few aircrafts that needed to taxi back to the apron for refueling because ACC or Dubai would not give us a departure release.
Am also aware of an IL76 out of Fujairah last year that was sitting at the loop for about 30 minutes before he got a release, and as soon as he was airborne he said he needed to turn direct ALN or he would decleare a fuel emergency (destination was Sudan I believe).