Financial scandal shacks pro-coalition government regarding revenues of southern provinces

ADEN, Aug. 11 (YPA) – An unprecedented financial scandal has shocked the government loyal to the Saudi-led coalition, as the former education minister, Abdullah Lamlas, revealed a shocking disparity in the Yemeni southern provinces’ revenues deposited in the Central Bank in Aden during the period (2020-2022).

In a post on his X account, Lamlas confirmed that the total revenue deposited within three years did not exceed 63 billion Yemeni riyals, in which Aden topped the list with 20.7 billion riyals, while the revenues of the three oil provinces (Hadramout, Shabwa, and Marib) did not exceed 19 billion riyals during the same period, which raises great questions about the fate of the oil wealth.

In a shocking paradox, the revenues of the Lahj province exceeded three times the revenues of the Shabwa, while the revenues of the Socotra archipelago province did not exceed 65 million riyals within only three years, amid continuous accusations of the Emirati companies of acquiring the tourist sector there.

The disclosure sparked a wave of anger and accusations against political and military leaders loyal to the coalition of seizing tens of billions and exploiting them for personal interests.

This scandal coincides with the previous disclosure of media activist Fathi bin Lazraq that more than 147 institutions in Aden and the provinces in the south do not deposit their funds to the Central Bank in Aden.

The financial collapse and currency smuggling have exacerbated the economic crisis, which negatively reflected on the government’s ability to provide the basic services, such as fuel to the power plants.

YPA