Lahj Governorate, like other southern governorates, lives in difficult living conditions that have worsened over the years, especially after the summer 2015 war. The continuous deterioration in basic services, including high prices in water, electricity, health, education, and housing, has made the lives of people in the governorate almost impossible. However, we find that some voices, whether from within the authority or from those with personal interests, praise a present and absent authority and describe its achievements as wonderful, while the daily reality that citizens live in shows a completely different picture.

In Lahj, it became clear to everyone. The absence of local authority in addressing the high prices crisis, even if it is available. High prices have become one of the biggest challenges facing citizens. The absence of oversight and weak regulatory procedures have exacerbated the price problem, making many families unable to meet their basic needs. Local Lahj markets are witnessing these days an unprecedented rise in the prices of food, consumer goods, and vegetables, as most commodities have exceeded reasonable limits, which has increased From the suffering of citizens, especially in light of the decline in purchasing power and the decline in income for most families. Many merchants have begun manipulating prices in the complete absence of central authority in the governorate, which has created a state of chaos in the market, and made citizens feel that they are in an open confrontation with prices rising without any accountability or control. 

The water problem is no less important than the high cost. Citizens in Lahj suffer from the lack of regular availability of clean water in some areas. Some of them are forced to buy water from tankers at high prices, which represents an additional burden on families already living under difficult economic conditions. This crisis raises questions about efforts to improve water infrastructure. 

The health situation in Lahj is getting worse day by day. Ibn Khaldun Hospital, which is considered the health lifeline of the governorate in providing medical services at reasonable prices, has become a place for paying large sums of money to obtain basic services, which increases the suffering of citizens, especially the poor who do not have the ability to bear these costs. 

With all these challenges, people are surprised by the voices that promote the achievements of the Lahj Authority and describe them as successful. The reality on the ground says otherwise. What has actually been achieved? Are there tangible improvements in daily services? The answer, unfortunately, is no. While efforts may have been made on paper or in the media, the average citizen in Lahj does not see any real change reflected in their daily lives.

Promoting non-existent achievements reflects a state of disconnect between officials and citizens. Some may praise the governorate’s authority for personal or political reasons, but the truth remains clear to everyone: crises are still worsening, and services are still collapsing. The people need real actions, not statements or propaganda campaigns that do not go beyond the media or social networking sites.

The citizen of Lahj does not need false praise or fake achievements. What he needs is a tangible improvement in his daily life: working electricity, clean water reaching homes, health and educational services worthy of human dignity and hospitality. Any attempt to polish the image of officials without addressing these fundamental issues is an escape from reality, and will only increase people's feelings of frustration and disappointment.