As to be specifies for Marine ForcesPeople of Makha lose livings [Archives:2005/835/Front Page]
Imad Al-Saqqaf
A number of Makha citizens warned of the catastrophic consequences of specifying the seaport of Makha, for the ships of marine forces.
They expressed their concern over the status of the port after implementing this decree, which was revealed in the meeting minuet of Ministers of Finance, Defense, and Transportation, Deputy Chief of Customs Authority, and Commander of Marine Forces and Coastal Defense.
The minuet stated that part of the port yard, a store, and the eastern side of the harbor's berth, 175 in length, should be submitted to the marine forces.
'The implementation of this decree mean the end of the trade city of Makha, and for those people who depend principally on the harbor in securing their livings,' Mohammed Hassan Obadi, Financial Official of Makha Harbor, said.
'The monthly port's income exceeded US$ 70,000 from the livestock and oil ships and nearly YR 3- 5 million from other sources,' Obadi explained, 'have mercy on the officers and workers of the port.'
Mohammed Abdullah al-Ossili, member of the local council in Makha, got surprised when hearing the news, described this decree as improvised, taken haphazardly, and it does not signify but murdering the port absolutely, though the president issued a decree on specifying the port for livestock. The port was accordingly included in the plan of developing ports.
'It will directly harm the people's livings,' Al-Ossili added.
The locals, Sheikhs, members of the local councils of Makha, Thubab, and Mawza complained to the governor of Taiz, President of the Local Council. They exposed the various dangers that will be faced by all inhabitants, merchants, and seafaring agents since the rest of the port, 150 meters in length, is not enough for them to perform their activities.
The letter expressed that there are some projects, such as the Cement Factory of Abdulqawi Al-Humaiqani, that is supposed to start working after two months as well as another subordinate project. Another project by the Red Sea Organization is building three blockages, which are to be used for receiving, keeping and exporting livestock to neighboring countries. Some tanks will be built to store oil from the ships of Ghee and Soap Company, and the oils of Hayel Saeed Anam Group yet, all of them exploit the entire berth.
The letter was concluded with recommending the obedience to the state instructions, confirming the availability of many options at the hand of the Ports Establishment that will achieve the purpose.
A letter from the Director of Board of Directors of the Ports Public Establishment (PPE), requested the Minister of Finance, Minister of Transportation, and Deputy Minister of Ports and Marine Affairs to form a committee to count all PPE assets and find out solutions. It recommended that they should have an interim period, supposingly three months, for PPE to regain its rights being possessed by the seafaring companies, after letting them have alternative settlements in Hodeida. It also suggested that they should take a decision from the Minister of Transportation to divide the Makha port into two: one for the marine forces and the other to be managed by Customs Authority similarly like what happened to Ras Eisa port. They asked for deciding the date on which the new decision will be implemented in order to know how to make the accountancy procedures.
It is worth mentioning that a meeting headed by Alawi Al-Salami, Minister of Finance, along with Minister of Transportation, Minister of Defense, Commander of Marine Forces and Coastal Defense and Deputy-Chief of Customs Authority was held. It discussed the execution of the Cabinet's decree No. (1), for the year 2005 dated Jan. 4 2005, according to the presidential directives No. (2), approving 175 meters, store No. 4, and 500 square meters in an area that does not cause any hindrance for customs work, should be specified for the marine forces. There should also be coordination with the Minister of Oil to specify two oil tanks for the marine forces. The directive stated that Customs Authority should supervise the port's activities including the imports and exports. Not only that, but also reinforcing coordination with the armed forces in activating the strategy of fighting terrorism.
Some sources reported that the port of Makha annually provides the public budget with about YR 1 billion from customs of which 70% are earned from cattle trade. Local products annually exported to Djibouti and Somalia cost nearly YR 3 billion, and they are increasing by 20%. Besides, Makha is considered one of the most important seaports for passengers, either Yemenis or foreigners who mostly travel threw the African horn countries and Yemen.
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