Deputy Governor Dr. Abdu Rabbo Muftah on Tuesday laid the foundation stone for a renewable energy-powered water security project valued at SAR 9.5 million, aimed at improving access to safe water across the governorate.

The project is jointly funded by the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen (SDPRY) and the European Union (EU), and implemented by Silah Foundation for Development.

Officials said the initiative will target three districts—Marib City, Marib Valley, and Harib—benefiting more than 360,000 residents and internally displaced people in areas facing acute water shortages.

According to project details, the 18-month program will include drilling eight solar-powered artesian wells, rehabilitating three existing wells in the Old Marib field, constructing seven elevated storage tanks, and installing eight water distribution networks. It will also establish community-based water management committees and provide training on governance and maintenance.

Muftah said the project comes at a critical time, as Marib struggles with increasing pressure on water resources driven by displacement, rapid urban expansion, and high summer demand in a harsh desert climate.

He welcomed continued Saudi support for Yemen, particularly through the SDPRY, alongside contributions from the European Union, describing the project as a key step toward sustainable service delivery.

In Marib, SDRPY has implemented a range of projects spanning multiple sectors, including education and healthcare support, road construction and rehabilitation, and water infrastructure development. 

Local authorities, he added, are committed to facilitating implementation, easing constraints, and supporting efforts to improve basic services for both host communities and displaced populations.