Minister of Transport meets UN Co-ordinator for Humanitarian Affairs
SANA’A March 06. 2023 Today, the Minister of Transport, Abdul-Wahab Al-Durra, discussed with the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen, David Gresley, the reasons for the delay in the implementation of the projects of the port of Hodeidah and the two airports of Sana’a, Hodeidah.
The meeting, which was attended by the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Political Affairs, Ambassador Nabil Al-Ghouli, the President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation and Meteorology, Dr. Muhammad Abdel-Qader, and the Vice President of the Red Sea Ports Corporation, Zaid Al-Washli, reviewed the necessary needs of projects that the United Nations Development Program has committed to and has not yet been implemented, especially projects to restore Rehabilitation of the port of Hodeidah in accordance with the Stockholm Agreement 2018.
The meeting touched on operational technical projects, including equipment and devices for Sana’a International Airport, which are important for providing distinguished air navigation services, and rehabilitation projects for Hodeidah International Airport, according to what the development program has committed to in coordination with the Supreme Council for the Management and Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and International Cooperation.
Al-Durra stressed the need to start implementing construction, development and technical projects for the port of Hodeidah, especially the provision of bridge cranes, explaining that the port of Hodeidah and other ports affiliated to the Yemeni Red Sea Ports Corporation have begun to receive commercial ships and cargo container ships on a regular basis.
He pointed out that the United Nations Development Program is aware of the importance of the port of Hodeidah to the Yemeni people in general and the relief organizations in particular and the services it provides, but it has implemented only some projects for unknown reasons, pointing out that Sana’a airport needs new navigation devices.
Minister of Transport also stressed the need to start implementing the plan to replace the floating tank Safer without delay, in order to avoid any catastrophic repercussions on the marine environment and the region.
While the head of the Civil Aviation Authority confirmed that Sana’a International Airport is in need of technical devices and equipment, calling on the United Nations to implement what it has committed to in this aspect.
In turn, the Vice President of the Red Sea Ports Corporation indicated the need to implement what was included in the report submitted by the experts seconded from the Development Program for the rehabilitation of the port of Hodeidah.
While the United Nations Coordinator for Humanitarian Affairs affirmed, the development program was keen to implement what was committed to the port of Hodeidah and the airports of Sana’a and Hodeidah, given the importance of these vital facilities to serve the Yemeni people, in addition to seeking to implement the plan to replace the floating Safer reservoir.
