Yemen allocates 4 million dollars to rebuild Abyan

Yemen’s government on Sunday (October 1st) announced it has allocated one billion Yemeni riyals ($4 million) to Abyan in order to kick off reconstruction efforts in the province.

The aid will target Zinjibar, the capital of Abyan, and Khanfar, which have suffered greatly at the hands of al-Qaeda, Prime Minister Ahmed Obaid bin Dagher said at a gathering of senior government and military officials along with hundreds of supporters on Sunday.

"We have taken a decision to restructure the Abyan reconstruction council under the chairmanship of governor Abu Bakr Hussein," bin Dagher said.

"We also have instructed the Finance Ministry to transfer an amount of one billion riyals so the reconstruction of Zinjibar and Khanfar can start immediately," he said.

The government will double these appropriations if reconstruction work so requires, he added.

"Abyan would never return to the authority of al-Qaeda and the 'Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). It will remain under the legitimate government’s authority," bin Dagher said.

He spoke about the need to inoculate society against extremist ideology.

"We have to protect our children against extremism, extremist ideology, extremist cells and radical preachers," he said.

"Those who care about building healthy generations free of violence and hate, have to promote peace, stability, calm and the value of human life," he added.

The government also banned the carrying of weapons in Aden as a first phase, he said, adding that the ban will later be enforced in all provincial capitals.

This move aims to pave the way for the return of diplomatic representation and commercial activity to the province, bin Dagher said, and to impose law and order and respect of human rights.

Abyan residents optimistic

Residents are optimistic about the government’s decision to start the reconstruction of Abyan, Khanfar local council secretary-general Nasser al-Mansari told Al-Mashareq.

"Abyan province has been suffering since 2011 when al-Qaeda controlled Zinjibar and Jaar, capital of Khanfar district, and declared them Islamic emirates," he said.

This has led to the destruction of the province's infrastructure, and has caused the displacement of tens of thousands of families to other provinces, he said.

"Abyan has started to recover and is seeing the return of security and stability as a result of the ongoing military and security crackdowns on al-Qaeda," al-Mansari said.