Ibb Public Works Office: Implementing Strategic Projects at a Cost of Nine Billion Riyals
The Public Works Office in Ibb Governorate has implemented strategic projects over the past three years, at a cost of nine billion riyals, with support from the World Bank, the European Union, the Road Maintenance Fund, and the governorate’s local authority.
The road projects included developing networks, rehabilitating vital entrances, improving lighting systems, and addressing traffic and service issues, as part of efforts to improve infrastructure and enhance service provision to citizens.
Engineer Ibrahim Al-Shami, Director of the Public Works Office in the governorate, told the Yemeni News Agency (Saba) that the implementation of the road projects represents a qualitative leap in service work, contributing to alleviating congestion and improving institutional performance in sectors concerned with infrastructure.
He explained that, in terms of local funding, the office has implemented more than 65 projects over the past three years.
In 1446 AH, 18 projects were implemented at a cost of 1.341 billion riyals, 29 projects in 1444 AH, including stalled projects from 1443 AH, at a cost of 3.024 billion riyals, and 18 projects in 1445 AH at a cost of 1.024 billion riyals.
Engineer Al-Shami indicated that, in terms of central funding, qualitative projects were implemented during 1445 AH and 1446 AH, including the rehabilitation of the Ba’dan line, which is five kilometers long and seven meters wide, at a cost of 450 million riyals, and the rehabilitation of the western entrance from Qahza to Mashura, which is 4.5 kilometers long and 14 meters wide, at a cost of 800 million riyals, through the Road Maintenance Fund, implemented by the General Organization for Roads and Bridges.
He stated that, as part of addressing traffic congestion, the Public Works Office worked to open and rehabilitate Thirtieth Street, which had been closed for more than 15 years, from the Al-Sahoul roundabout to Al-Udayn Street, a length of 8.5 kilometers.
This was done after removing debris and constructing concrete culverts along the entire length, extending to the Al-Mawwal area.
Regarding external funding, the Director of the Public Works Office confirmed that the first phase of the Ibb City Ring Road Rehabilitation Project, a 5.4-kilometre project, was implemented in 1444 AH (1444 AH), funded by the World Bank through the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), under the supervision of the Road Maintenance Fund, at a cost of $1,423,000. The second phase of the project is currently underway, comprising two sections with a total length of 5.32 kilometers, at a similar cost. He pointed out that other maintenance work was carried out, funded by UNOPS, including the 4.3-kilometre northern entrance to Ibb city, at a cost of $820,000, and the 5.13-kilometre southern entrance to Shaban, at a cost of $1 million.
This is in addition to a project to rehabilitate the western ring road of Yarim city, which is 3.7 kilometers long, at a cost of $1,028,000.
Engineer Al-Shami explained that the project to repair the main road to Al-Qa’idah city, which connects the governorates of Ibb, Taiz, and Sana’a, was implemented with funding from the European Union as part of the SIERY project of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), under the supervision of the Tamdeen Youth Foundation and in partnership with the local authority.
External funding included paving the Al-Shallal Road, constructing retaining walls, and rehabilitating culverts in Al-Mashnah District, at a cost of $405,000.
In terms of organization, the Public Works Office implemented campaigns to remove informal markets and stalls, as well as relocate livestock pens from the city center, in coordination with the local authority and the Security Department. Emergency work was also carried out to drain floodwaters and clean culverts.
In the field of lighting, Public Works Office personnel installed more than 1,500 economical 80- and 150-watt spotlights, maintained lampposts, and supervised the project to illuminate the Ring Road with solar-powered spotlights.
The Director of the Public Works Office in the governorate confirmed that the office has taken measures to enhance transparency and operational efficiency, including: introducing an automated project management system, implementing a thorough review system for extracts, conducting periodic field visits to address issues, and drafting project contracts for the year 1446 AH in accordance with approved specifications.
The implementation of road projects in Ibb Governorate reflects the tireless efforts of Public Works Office personnel, under the supervision of the local authority and office leadership, to improve the service and development situation in the governorate, despite the current challenges posed by the ongoing aggression and blockade.
