Yemen's Minister of Oil and Minerals Dr. Mohammed Bamqaa affirmed the government's readiness to restore oil operations, noting that the previous suspension of oil exports disrupted government functions, delayed salary payments, and contributed to a decline in public services. In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, Bamqaa revealed that an emergency meeting had been convened with the security and military authorities assigned by Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi, chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council, along with the company holding the export contract. He said a security plan had been put in place to address potential threats, particularly those posed by the Houthis in the Bab el-Mandab Strait. In a related development, the minister said discussions have continued since President Al-Alimi announced the resumption of oil exports. Those discussions led to a meeting of the Supreme Committee for the Sale and Marketing of Crude Oil, chaired by Prime Minister Dr. Shaya Al-Zindani in his capacity as general supervisor, where a time-bound implementation mechanism was approved to facilitate the process. "We, in the ministry, have instructed all relevant units, institutions, and national and foreign companies partnering with the state to hold meetings and develop urgent plans covering the technical, financial, and administrative aspects. Teams are already working on these efforts," he said. Bamqaa said the Ministry of Oil and Minerals is technically prepared and is working to restore operational status. He explained that, in the oil industry, restoring operational status is a technical procedure required after facilities have been shut down for an extended period, during which pipelines are emptied. "We are currently reactivating the system and are ready to begin exports as soon as we receive official notification from the contracted company in the coming days," he added. Regarding the expected revenues and their impact on the state budget, Bamqaa said the ministry had submitted projected revenue estimates to the Ministry of Finance so the funds could be directed toward improving essential public services and to improve essential services and ensure the regular payment of public-sector salaries. "The suspension of oil and gas exports affected the government's performance, disrupted salary payments, contributed to the budget deficit, and led to a decline in public services, with some services being suspended altogether," he said. An oil refinery in Yemen (File photo: Reuters). He also highlighted Saudi Arabia's support, saying that the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen, headed by Ambassador Mohammed Al Jaber and acting under the directives of the Kingdom's leadership, had provided financial assistance that helped sustain salary payments and secure fuel supplies for power plants. "For these reasons, the decision to resume exports is both important and a national necessity to preserve state institutions," he added. Asked about his planned visit to Saudi Arabia, Bamqaa said he is fully prepared to make the trip once the relevant authorities set a date. He noted that work is continuing across all fronts in close coordination with the relevant government agencies under the direct supervision of Prime Minister Shaya Al-Zindani. He added that all departments, units, and directorates within the Ministry of Oil and Minerals had been instructed to maintain the highest level of readiness and complete the tasks assigned to them. Yemen's oil exports have been almost entirely suspended since October 2022 after Houthi attacks on the Al-Dhabba and Al-Nashima export terminals in Hadramout and Shabwa, depriving the government of one of its main sources of revenue, which accounts for about 70 percent of the state budget.
