Almotamar.net - A ribbon cutting ceremony in Bir Ali today brought together members of the Yemen LNG Board of Directors marking the inauguration of the Bir Ali 300 kw electrical generator donated by the company to the village. The official handover of the diesel generator, costing a total of US$ 98,200, took place in the presence of the Director General of the Gas Division at the Ministry of Oil and Minerals, Mr. Ibrahim Abu Luhoum, Yemen LNG Board as well as members of the Bir Ali community and local council representatives. The handover agreement was also signed between village committees and the company.

The company is implementing three different levels of action: to minimise and mitigate any possible harm or damage, whether to populations, wildlife or the environment; to provide proper compensation based on international standards where harm or economic loss cannot be fully redressed; and to establish a positive and enduring legacy in Yemen for the benefit of future generations. The company’s approach to compensation is to help affected communities realise their own development goals and potential and increase their capacities and productivity.

The generator is one of a series of projects that aim not only to compensate for any unavoidable impact that might have resulted from the work of the project, but also to improve the living conditions of affected communities and achieve sustainable development. All projects are defined through dialogue with concerned community representatives and local authorities to ensure optimal results and ownership of communities to and sustainability of these projects. Most of the planned short and medium-term projects will be completed prior to moving into the Production Phase in late 2008.

To address the needs of fishermen communities, two concrete sets of projects have been identified and are being implemented in both Bir Ali and Jela’ah and along the bay surrounding Balhaf. Some examples of projects being implemented in this area include, but not limited to, the following:

• The construction of a 750-meter breakwater in Jela’ah at a cost of several million dollars. This breakwater will accommodate up to 250 fishing boats and will enable the safe hauling of boats onto the beach during the high wind monsoon season;

• The provision of equipment, including a tractor, tents and water to assist fishermen, at a cost of US$ 105,000;

• The upgrading of the fish auction facilities at Bir Ali and Jela’ah at a cost of US$ 300,000;

• The construction and upgrading of access roads to local fish markets and auctions at Bir Ali and Jela’ah at US$ 158,000;

• The provision of Fish Aggregation Devices (FAD) and a potential creation of artificial reefs;


In addition, Yemen LNG is implementing other development projects along the pipeline route and in the coastal area near the plant; including:

• The renovation of a several school buildings, including the construction of new classrooms and the upgrading of teacher accommodation facilities;

• The provision of safe access to drinking water in the four directorates along the pipeline route to improve health and hygiene in 27 selected villages. This work is being undertaken in conjunction with the French Red Cross and Yemeni Red Crescent Society (YRCS).