Cause and effect [Archives:2008/1147/Opinion]

By: Abdulhafez Al-Faqih
Good governance is the one that works during daytime and overnight on maintaining stability and security, and providing all the necessities required by stability of people such as food security, and peace living according to effective economic, political and social plans. These plans may help any system of governance suggest workable solutions to any pressing economic, political and social issues while people can lead luxurious lives.

Unemployment in our country is symptomatic of poor policies pursued by a corrupt regime that never studies or examines issues before suggesting solutions to them. The authority already knows that there are thousands of idle youths who are still seeking job opportunities to help them provide for their families and themselves. More than once and on more than one occasion, this authority promised to put an end to unemployment, as well as assigned a specific time period (two years) for eradicating unemployment. More than one and a half years have passed while the government did nothing even to reduce the high unemployment rate.

Rioting and vandalistic acts occurred as a reaction to the state's poor policies and wrong conducts. As the government announced vacancies in the military institutions, youth from throughout the country rushed to any nearby recruitment offices to enlist their names, however, they were surprised to find that their applications are rejected. Where will they go?

Yemeni youths rushed to apply for military jobs as they found no other choices. They haven't found work in Yemen, nor can they migrate to the neighboring countries to search for better job opportunities. Only those who sell all what they have to pay for visas can migrate to the bordering countries to look for better job opportunities.

We don't support the riots and vandalistic acts that took place in the governorates of Lahj and Dhale'. Instead, we reject and condemn such actions. We don't support the authority that neglects its responsibility toward its people. What happened in the southern governorates is the result of the government's negligence and being indifferent toward creating job opportunities for the idle youth. In case it has a strong will and determination, the government can create more job opportunities for the idle youth by establishing factories and projects, boosting investment and attracting foreign investors to initiate businesses in the country.

The country's dire situation continues worsening and is projected to take Yemen into a gloomy tunnel, particularly as the unemployment rate increases, coupled with the high cost of living as prices of basic foodstuffs skyrocket from day to day. The authority did admit that ten million of Yemen's 21 million strong population are in an urgent need of social insurance.

Where is the safe investment, which is projected to initiate giant projects and create more job opportunities for the idle youth? Foreign investors refused to initiate businesses in our country due to the behavior of influential persons, lack of safe investment climate and rampant corruption, which continue to spread.

If the Yemeni authority doesn't review the dire situations countrywide and begin suggesting workable solutions to the pressing issues, mainly unemployment and the rampant financial and administrative corruption, it must be held responsible for the expected consequences of its poor policies.

Source: Al-Ahali Weekly
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