Ibb.. Houthi militia grants one of its influential people a permit to dig an artesian well and increases fees on public water subscribers

The Houthi militia in Ibb Governorate (central Yemen) granted one of its influential figures a permit to dig an artesian well as a private project, in a plan for a public street and near a public project well that benefits thousands. At the same time, it imposed more fees on public water subscribers.

Local residents said that an influential figure in the Houthi militia called Tawfiq Maneh began digging an artesian well under the protection of the militia’s security in the “Mahadib-Ayad” area in the Al-Mashnah district of Ibb city, after the Water Resources Authority, which is under the control of the militia, granted him a permit to do so, amid widespread societal rejection and opposition.

They added that the place where the influential Houthi started digging is located in a plan for a public street and is 300 meters away from a public water project well that benefits thousands of residents.

Residents complained about the drilling process and said that it would affect the water supply to their areas, demanding that the drilling be stopped and the protection enjoyed by the influential Houthis be withdrawn.

Meanwhile, the Houthi militia imposed new fees on public water subscribers in the governorate center, while residents complain of service interruptions most days of the month.

Local sources said that the water corporation affiliated with the Houthi militia in Ibb raised the royalties that it adds to the value of monthly water consumption under the name of (sanitation, local councils and services).

The sources added that the new increase came after similar increases imposed during the past months on the unit tariff and service connection fees.

This comes at a time when citizens continue to suffer from service disruptions in some neighborhoods for several weeks.