Unlicensed water drilling and irrigation innovations [Archives:2004/753/Local News]

Aden Bureau
Mr. Salem Ali Ba Odhah, a drilling inspector at the Water Resources Public Authority disclosed that the special field team assigned by the authority to inspect the drilling situation in Lahj Governorate in order to combat and ease water random drilling in the governorate found out there were 12 water wells that were being drilled in Hodah and Taben provinces without permits from the authority. He stated that the random drilling of water would result in the seriously depletion of water reservoirs in the two provinces especially since the fall of water level in the reservoir during 2002-2003 was recorded at 9 meters.
This is a dangerous indicator of the depletion of the water reservoir, the pollution of water, the seepage of salty sea water into the water reservoir and the drying of water wells.
Ba Odhah added that the field team has issued to them violation notices to halt the drilling and facilitate their punishment according to the law. The inspector hoped that the local authority will assist the water authority in the implementation of the water law through presenting the violators to the judiciary and to halt unlicensed drilling as soon as possible.
Ba Odhah expressed his pleasure at the level of cooperation and understanding the water authority had received from the local authority in Lahj, especially from the secretary general of the local council Mr. Ali Haiderah, and at the readiness of the local council to halt the random drillings that constitute a serious threat to society.
In another development, the Public Agricultural Services Authority has undertaken the implementation of the one of the components of the irrigation development project in the Tabin Valley, carrying out preliminary measures in coordination with the executive unit of the project through installing a number of new agricultural technologies for selected corps being growing in the valley in accordance with the recommendations of the Agricultural Research and Guidance Public Authority.
It is hoped to overcome the agricultural problem related to the low quantity of produce by using a number of modern techniques within the irrigation system using floods and underground water.
Engineer Anwr Abdulkareem, director of the executive unit, said that the project takes in to consideration the using of high quality seeds and fertilizers at suitable times, and techniques for combating agricultural pests.
Abdulkareem added that the project aimed at increasing the quantity of produce and the living conditions of farmers in the two valleys.
The contract between the project and the Public Agricultural Services Corporation was to provide the project with consultations about how to improve quality and increase the quantity of produce in different regions, and to acquaint farmers with new agriculture techniques. During the 2004-2005 season, the program will be implemented over a total area of 485 hectares with follow-up to determine and evaluate achievements.
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