Sana'a: A meeting in the capital on Tuesday, chaired by the Minister of Electricity, Energy, and Water, Dr. Ali Saif, focused on the tasks assigned to the Ministry and its affiliated agencies to ensure the continuity of water and wastewater services as part of the Government of Change and Reconstruction program.
According to Yemen News Agency, the meeting included Deputy Minister of Electricity and Water, Adel Bader, and directors of local water and wastewater institutions in the capital and provinces. The participants reviewed ways to improve performance, simplify procedures for citizens in accordance with laws and regulations, and resolve water and wastewater challenges through the implementation of related projects and activities.
The meeting also evaluated the projects completed and implemented within the strategic plan for the water sector for the year 1446 AH, alongside the safe withdrawal plan. Models from the general plan of the Ministry for the year 1447 AH were reviewed, with a follow-up on the implementation plan aimed at increasing the water and wastewater coverage rate for each institution in the capital and provinces.
Reports on the performance evaluation indicators of local water and sanitation institutions for the year 1446 AH were reviewed, focusing on the interim and emergency plans, the actual achievement rate of all indicators, and the coverage rate of water services in urban areas at the level of local institutions and their branches.
Key obstacles facing local water and sanitation institutions were addressed, particularly the gap in some institutions' ability to determine the actual coverage rate of beneficiaries of water and sanitation services and the failure of some institutions to submit data on damages resulting from ongoing aggression.
Minister Saif emphasized the importance of periodically evaluating the performance of local water and sanitation institutions to improve service levels and quality of work. He highlighted the need to move towards automation to simplify procedures, facilitate data collection, and coordinate with the General Electricity Corporation to supply electricity for operating water wells and power stations.
He also stressed the Ministry's commitment to utilizing alternative energy sources, including lithium battery technology and hydropower, to reduce energy costs associated with diesel and fuel oil.
Deputy Minister Bader pointed out the meeting was an opportunity to discuss opinions and proposals to improve the performance of local water and sanitation institutions amid the ongoing aggression. He emphasized the importance of developing plans for the year 1447 AH to meet the growing demand for drinking water.
The meeting, attended by Wassama al-Ariqi, Zaid al-Kuhlani, and Zaki al-Maamari, saw several observations and suggestions raised by directors of water institutions in the Capital Sana'a and provinces.