A staggering financial claim of approximately $2.5 million for alleged airport cleaning services at Aden Airport has triggered widespread public and media outrage, fueling accusations of corruption within the Yemeni Ministry of Transport. In response to the exorbitant demand by a contracted company, the Minister of Transport, Mohsen Haidarah, issued Ministerial Decision No. 18 of 2026. This decision established an investigative committee, chaired by the Deputy Minister of Transport, Nasser Ahmed Shareef, and comprising eight officials, including the Director General of Aden International Airport. The committee's mandate is to thoroughly investigate the company's financial claim. The committee is tasked with reviewing all pertinent procedures and contracts related to the matter and verifying the legality of the financial demand, which has ignited considerable debate across social media platforms and local media outlets. Fathi bin Lazraq, head of the Aden Al-Ghad media institution, stated, citing the Deputy Minister, that the directive for the services was issued under the previous minister through "direct order," with the disputed sum approved at that time. Bin Lazraq further reported that the Deputy Minister confirmed the committee commenced its duties immediately upon the decision's issuance and will resume its work after the Eid al-Adha holiday. This pause is intended to facilitate the culmination of the investigation, identify all implicated parties, and implement appropriate measures against them. Shareef described the requested amount as "unimaginable" and asserted that the ministry "will not accept its payment under any circumstance or justification." The case has elicited furious reactions from Yemeni activists and journalists, who have characterized the incident as one of the "ugliest forms of corruption" within government institutions. They are demanding accountability for any financial or administrative transgressions. These developments occur amidst mounting pressure on the Yemeni government due to deteriorating economic and service conditions, coupled with escalating criticism concerning corruption and the management of public resources in areas under its control. |
