Mukalla (South24 Center)

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Governor of Hadramout, Mabkhout bin Madi, announced on Tuesday, September 9, the launch of the governorate’s economic and social development plan for the period 2025–2029. He described the initiative as the beginning of “a new chapter in Hadramout’s bright history,” following years of deteriorating public services and worsening living conditions.

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Speaking at the forum that marked the official unveiling of the plan—attended by South24’s correspondent—bin Madi stated that the governorate “has endured the repercussions of successive crises, resulting in the decline of essential services and soaring prices.” He emphasized that “temporary solutions are no longer sufficient, and the time has come to shift toward sustainable alternatives.”

The plan was launched under the aegis of Prime Minister Salem bin Brik, with the participation of the President of Hadramout University, deputy governors, directors of public institutions, and Zeina Ahmed, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

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In his address, Prime Minister bin Brik affirmed that Hadramout was selected to launch the national development plan due to its strategic location and economic significance, noting that the governorate could serve as a practical model for sustainable development across Yemen.

He explained that the plan outlines a five-year roadmap featuring flagship projects in infrastructure, energy, healthcare, and education, alongside initiatives to attract investment and empower youth and women. He added that the government is working to streamline procedures for the private sector and mobilize the necessary resources to ensure effective implementation.

Bin Brik also highlighted the government’s close monitoring of challenges in service sectors, particularly electricity. He announced the convening of a National Energy Conference in November aimed at formulating a comprehensive strategy to address the crisis and convert it into development opportunities to reduce the cost of government subsidies and enhancing the stability of essential services.

The forum also witnessed the participation of Shao Cheng, Charge d’Affaires of the Chinese embassy in Yemen, who reaffirmed his country’s continued support for Hadramout. He pointed to grants and aid provided in recent years, particularly for students studying in China.

Engineer Hassan Al-Attas, Assistant General Supervisor of the Saudi Program for the Development and Reconstruction of Yemen, delivered remarks on behalf of Ambassador Mohammed Al Jaber, Supervisor General of the program. He affirmed that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will continue to support development projects in Hadramout and across Yemen, in line with the sustainable development goals.

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Al-Attas noted that the Saudi program has implemented 265 projects and initiatives across various governorates, including strategic interventions in Hadramout in the fields of energy, transportation, healthcare, education, and water. He stated that the value of petroleum derivatives provided to the governorate exceeded 400 million Saudi Riyals.

In the transport sector, Al-Attas referenced projects to upgrade the Al-Wadiah border crossing and rehabilitate the Al-Abr– Seiyun road. Educational efforts included the establishment of model schools, support for universities, and plans to establish new colleges.

He also reviewed the equipping of Seiyun General Hospital and the planning for establishing a university hospital, in addition to feasibility studies for a 100-megawatt power station and a gas processing facility.

Al-Attas further discussed initiatives to support fishermen through the provision of modern boats and projects to facilitate market access for their products, in cooperation with the Islamic Development Bank and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ). He also highlighted renewable energy and water projects.

The announcement of the development plan comes amid a sharp decline in essential services in Hadramout, mounting economic pressures on residents, and escalating political tensions linked to accusations surrounding the electricity crisis and fuel supply disruptions along the governorate’s coastal areas.