Hodeidah: Inauguration and Foundation Stone Laying for Service Projects Worth Over

Minister of Transport and Public Works Mohammed Qahim and Hodeidah Governor Abdullah Otayfi inaugurated several road projects and laid the foundation stone for service projects in the health and education sectors in the northern districts of Hodeidah Governorate, at a total cost of 1.713 billion riyals.

The completed projects inaugurated included the completion of the first phase of the asphalt project for the Al-Qanawis-Al-Maghlaf-Al-Kadan road, at a cost of 599 million 344 thousand riyals. The project was funded by the local council, designed and supervised by the governorate’s Public Works Sector, and implemented by the Roads and Bridges Maintenance Fund. The foundation stone was also laid and work commenced on the second phase of the same project, at a cost of 571 million and 269 thousand riyals. Projects to protect roads from flood damage were also launched, including the expansion of the Al-Jilaniah culvert in Al-Qanawis District and the construction of a surface bridge in Al-Dhahi District, at a cost of 242 million and 684 thousand riyals, funded by the Road and Bridge Maintenance Fund.

The implemented projects also included comprehensive maintenance of the Al-Hodeidah-Al-Khashm Road, including the laying of an asphalt layer and the implementation of various engineering repairs, funded by the Road Maintenance Fund, at a total cost of 300 million riyals.

In the health and education sector, the foundation stone was laid for the construction of a CT scan building at Al-Zaidiyah Hospital, at a cost of 76 million and 527 thousand riyals, and the restoration and rehabilitation project of the Hafsa Educational Complex for Girls in the same district, at a cost of 51 million and 166 thousand riyals. As part of efforts to improve urban infrastructure, the foundation stone was laid and work began on a project to pave new roads in several neighborhood units in the districts of Al-Zaydiyah, Al-Qanawis, and Al-Luhayyah.

The project, costing 300 million riyals, will be funded by the local council, implemented by the executive unit for projects and maintenance, and supervised by the governorate’s public works sector.

During the inauguration and laying of the foundation stone for these projects, the Minister of Transport and Public Works emphasized that these projects are part of the Ministry’s plan to implement a comprehensive national vision aimed at promoting development in the coastal governorates and linking them to strategic axes that serve economic and social development.

Quhaim noted that improving the rural and urban road network is a priority for the Ministry at the present stage, considering infrastructure a fundamental pillar for advancing services and improving citizens’ living standards.

He explained that the flood protection, culvert expansion, and bridge construction projects respond to an urgent need to enhance the road network’s readiness to confront natural disasters and alleviate the suffering of the residents of the targeted districts, especially during the rainy season.

He also emphasized the Ministry’s commitment to improving the quality of implementation through direct technical oversight and ensuring that implementing agencies adhere to the highest engineering standards. He noted that the size of the allocated funding and the diversity of targeted sectors reflect effective integration between the government, local authorities, and financing funds. The Minister of Transport commended the cooperation of the Hodeidah Governorate leadership, the Public Works Sector, and the Road Maintenance Fund in advancing these projects, stressing the ministry’s continued adoption of additional projects in the coming months as part of a comprehensive plan to advance the services sector on the West Coast.

For his part, the Governor of Hodeidah affirmed that the governorate is witnessing widespread development thanks to the directives of the revolutionary and political leadership, and with the cooperation of central and local authorities. He pointed out that the projects that were launched and whose foundation stones were laid represent a strong impetus for infrastructure development.

He explained that the projects, which include roads, health, and education, will contribute to alleviating the suffering of citizens in the northern districts and will bring about a tangible improvement in the level of services provided, especially in areas that have suffered from weak service infrastructure for years. He indicated that efforts are continuing to complete other projects currently under preparation and design in various districts.

Atifi emphasized that the governorate’s leadership is working to overcome all challenges facing project implementation through direct coordination with relevant ministries, funds, and funding agencies, to ensure the sustainability of work and achieve a real impact on the ground. He called for support for these efforts, ensuring the resilience of Hodeidah’s people and improving their service and living conditions.

During the opening ceremony and laying of the foundation stone, attended by the Governor’s Deputy for Northern Quadrant Directorates, Ghaleb Hamza, and the Commander of the Northern Axis, Major General Fadel Al-Dhayani, the Governorate’s Public Works Sector Official, Engineer Mohammed Muthanna, explained that the projects currently being implemented represent a strong boost to the service sector and have undergone comprehensive technical studies to ensure the desired impact is achieved. He emphasized that the office continues to closely monitor the implementation phases in cooperation with the engineering oversight teams in the directorates.

He pointed out that the projects currently being implemented are part of a broader plan to improve basic services in peripheral directorates, calling on supporting and funding agencies to enhance their interventions in priority areas, especially in light of climate challenges and increasing population pressures.

The Directors of Al-Zaydiyah Directorates, Hassan Al-Ahdal and Al-Qanawis Directorates, Mohammed Al-Qawzi, emphasized that the implementation of these projects is a direct response to citizens’ needs and reflects the state’s seriousness in responding to the needs of the people of the northern directorates.

The opening ceremony and laying of the foundation stone were attended by the Directors of the Roads Authority, Ibrahim Sharaf Al-Din; Health, Khaled Al-Madani; Media, Ibrahim Al-Zarour; and Culture, Asad Bashad.