Roads Pavement Initiative

          It was a simple idea to have established an initiative to pave the roads of Bani Ahmed district, Al Far'e Province, Ibb governorate. At the beginning, few meters of the road were paved. Then donation and sponsors came. As a result a local committee was formed headed by teacher Makeen Abdu Ghalib, Kaid Mohammed Mofareh, the president of the Local Council Dr Rashad Abdullah Mofareh, the Media officer Dr Motee'e Al Boukary and the finance officer Hamoud Ali Abdu.

            The initiative was declared on whatsapp as. The local Initiative for the Pavement of Roads - Bani Ahmed on 24/7/2016. This issue was activated on the social media like facebook, whatsapp and so on.The committee planned for the goals of the road pavement all over the district. Many people reacted positively. The first plan was to pave the road from Al Huria Market , Al Wazera to the nearby areas of Al  Odain. Basically the pavement started on Al Thulth road as the most difficult road in Bani Ahmed. The outset was fruitful since two kilometers long with three meters wide were paved.

            This initiative was supported by the immigrants and some of the well-to-do, mainly Sayyed Qasim Abdulkafi, Sheikh Abdulkadir El Sheqrani and Hamoud Ahmed Yuosif and his brothers. They paid millions and millions. Yemen Mobile company paid one million Yemeni rial. The S. D. F participated in the technical consultation. Most of the people of Bani Ahmed participated and supported this essential project especially educated people on social media and mass media.

            This project of paving the roads in Bani Ahmed is a pure societal project. No official or government support. However, it was done during the hard times that Yemen had ever known. The success was because of the planed work since the beginning. Different committees have worked together like the technical committee, the general relation and the supervision committee. The success was too because of the support of each and every one in the society. As a result the dream has become true.

            Mainly the pavement was between Al Barada road and Al Falq Market. The other part to Al Mazahen, which is about 4 Kilometers, needs such care either from society or government. The surprise is that this initiative started while Yemen is shattering into pieces because of war, critical poverty, lack of salaries and unemployment. It helped to create chances of work for many people.

            The choice of the leading committee was of success. They are honest loyal and dedicated. This created confidence among people. The first step was successful in spite of the lack of money. People reacted positively and cooperated. The prominent villages in such a project are Al Manber, Wadi Boker, Al Thoulth, Annajareen and Al Gawl.

            Many sub roads were paved in the district and province. This initiative was a model to be imitated not only in Ibb but also in other governorates like Thamar . Finally the dream is yet not fulfilled since much more hope is in the horizon of the minds of the people of Far'a Al Odain waiting for another support from the government and non-government associations.

Written By:

Dr. Ahmed Taher AL HAMZI

Assistant professor at Taiz University.