Rada'a: The Rada'a Water Basin Committee in Al-Bayda Governorate convened a meeting on Tuesday, led by Governor Abdullah Idris, to discuss requests for drilling new wells and deepening existing ones. The meeting was attended by Deputy Governor Saleh Al-Joufi and Rada'a District Director Ahmed Al-Akkam, focusing on measures to safeguard the basin from unauthorized drilling and resource depletion.
According to Yemen News Agency, the committee reviewed 19 requests for drilling, deepening, and maintaining wells, assessing their technical and legal status for licensing. After deliberations, 12 requests were approved, while seven were rejected due to legal concerns. Governor Idris emphasized enforcing laws to protect groundwater and prevent unauthorized drilling, stressing the importance of community awareness in preserving water resources.
Governor Idris called for a coordinated approach involving local authorities, the General Authority for Water Resources, and security agencies to manage well-drilling activities according to citizens' needs. He urged strict law enforcement to protect basins and prevent the issuance of licenses in drought-prone areas.
In the meeting, Mohammed Al-Mansouri, Director of the Governorate Branch of the General Authority for Water Resources and Water Structures, presented a report detailing technical aspects of well-drilling requests. He highlighted the locations, legality, and technical observations of these requests, along with activities and challenges faced by the authority.
Abdulghani Al-Mukhtar, Director of the Local Water and Sanitation Corporation, reviewed efforts to preserve the Rada'a water basin. He stressed the importance of reducing arbitrary drilling and safeguarding groundwater resources.