Houthi Official Accused of Corruption in Ibb, Reversing Street Plans for Personal Gain

Growing discontent in Ibb province has been fueled by allegations that a Houthi official, Abdulrahman Al-Marouei, has controversially reversed official street plans, allegedly to benefit influential individuals and extort payments.

While the Houthi militia continues to send conscripts to the front lines, a starkly different reality is emerging within the areas they control. Official institutions and executive offices, particularly in Ibb governorate, are reportedly being transformed into personal investment vehicles for plundering citizens' land, imposing arbitrary fees, and trading public services for financial gain.

Documents and credible local sources in Ibb governorate have revealed an administrative and planning scandal implicating Abdulrahman Al-Marouei, a Houthi-appointed official serving as the deputy governor for technical affairs. The documents reportedly show blatant and disgraceful contradictions in Al-Marouei's decisions. He initially issued official directives to the Director-General of the Public Works Office and the director of the Fourth Region to remove encroachments and open a specific street, citing the approved general plan.

However, in a manner described by local sources as typical of land brokers and extortionists, Al-Marouei allegedly issued completely contradictory directives to close the street and remove it from the general plan once settlement terms changed or the allocated financial amounts diminished. This action is seen as a blatant disregard for the law and fundamental principles of urban and civil planning.

Local residents in Ibb are questioning the legal and engineering basis for Al-Marouei's decisions to revoke approved streets from urban plans. Sources indicate that Al-Marouei lacks any formal qualifications in civil engineering, architecture, or urban planning, suggesting his role is primarily focused on orchestrating deals and compromising citizens' interests. Streets are reportedly opened for those who pay the most and closed to those unable to meet the demanded fees.

These alleged practices have sparked widespread anger among the province's residents. Affected citizens and families are demanding an immediate halt to this pervasive corruption and the arbitrary actions of appointed Houthi leaders. They question the continued presence of those allegedly involved in corruption and mismanagement in Ibb and call for their removal and accountability for the systematic destruction of the administrative and urban fabric of the city.