By Goth Mohamed Goth

The Ministry of National Planning and Development held a one day briefing conference under the theme of enhancing citizens awareness and state –citizens relation at the Mansoor hotel, Hargeisa.

The briefing conference aimed to raise citizens awareness on the workings and achievements of both the Somaliland Development Fund (SDF) since it was first launched to date and the current government is commitment to achieve rapid economic development and growth.

State-Citizen communication is one of the cross cutting issues in the Somaliland Special arrangement (SSA), to integrate into the planning and implementation across all state and peace building activities. Communications activities meant to create interactions between citizens and state about government priorities, activities and expenditure and through such awareness medium which is meant to promote transparency and accountability.

Dr. Sacad Ali Shire, the Somaliland Minister of National planning and Development speaking at the venue began by elaborating on the Ministry of National Planning and Development (MoNPD) in fulfilling its mandate through a five year (2012-2016) National Development Plan (NDP) for Somaliland, that focuses on sustainable development and poverty reduction.a

“Somaliland’s National Development Plan (NDP) provides a medium term framework for achieving the country’s long term development aspirations as embodied in Somaliland Vision 2030, and the Millennium Development Goals”, he added.

Dr. Sacad added, “The Somaliland Development Fund (SDF) is a 4 year fund designed to support the Government of Somaliland (GoSL) in filling critical gaps that are fully aligned to the National Development Plan (NDP).

The SDF is currently funded by the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID), the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) and the Governments of Norway and the Netherlands.

The plan is made up of five main pillars:

1. Economic
2. Infra-structure
3. Governance
4. Social
5. Environmental

The Minister of State for finance Hon Osman Saradid Adani gave an in-depth briefing on how the current government had initiated development projects funded by funds from the central coffers in which he stated, “The government of Somaliland has through state funds initiated numerous development projects among them the funding of the Burao –Erigavo road and the awarding of ranks in the various branches of the armed forces and that the 10% of the overall budget has being allocated to development projects.

Hon Adani further stated, “Among the proposed development projects we plan to initiate this year from funds availed from the central go towards the construction of the Burao -Erigavo road and other roads in the country, the construction of the Berbera library and for the construction of government buildings.

Mr. Mubarik Abdullah briefed citizens on the workings of the Somaliland special agreement in which he stated , “The international community’s endorsement of the SSA represents an acknowledgement by the international community that Somaliland’s impressive achievements in peace, security and democratization require developmental support that is specifically tailored to our priorities and governmental capacities, and which is owned by our people. To ensure ownership, the SSA puts in place mechanisms that guarantee that decisions over allocation of development assistance to Somaliland are alone made by the Somaliland government and its people, in partnership with the international community.

For that reason, the SSA promotes the Somaliland Development Fund (SDF) established by the Danish and UK governments in 2012 as a means to ensure mutual accountability while establishing mechanisms for the Somaliland government to better lead their development process. The SDF is now fully operational, and as the preferred funding mechanism, Somaliland encourages donors to join and scale up their funding of the SDF.

Through nearly twenty four years of state building, Somaliland has laid the foundation for future transformative economic growth. The country is stable and peaceful; our children receive free primary education; we are expanding medical services and water distribution in urban and rural areas; and our citizens participate in regular democratic elections. Thanks to more stringent public financial management, increased tax revenue and more safeguards against corruption, Somaliland’s 2014 budget is the largest and most balanced in its history. The Somaliland government has therefore fostered an environment where aid can make a great impact, and in which our government shares primary responsibility over development activities.

Mr. Najah Mahmoud Aden from the SDF secretariat elaborated on the current ongoing projects being implement by the Somaliland Dvelopment Fund, “The SDF Joint Steering Committee has approved of funding for the following project and is currently in the process implementing them:

By Goth Mohamed Goth

Mini Seminar on Maritime Security, was held on board HNLMS Johan de Witt, in Berbera on 25 April. HNLMS Johan de Witt is a Dutch Command and Amphibious platform that currently acts as the flagship for EUNAVFOR, and hosts the embarked Force Headquarters.

The several governmental key figures among them  the deputy ministers of Somaliland ministries and the Mayor of Berbera. Also present were the head of Somaliland coastal guards and the Director of communications of MFAIC.

By M.A. Egge

THE First Lady Amina Sheikh Mohammed Jirde said that she was one of foremost fans of the live “Somaliland Got Talent” Television programs that has just come to its first seasonal close.

The First Lady revealed her enthusiasm for the local talent at a ceremony that saw the awarding of the best five top winners as first season series closed its curtains.

She at the same time hailed the information department for their production and airing of the talent show which brought local mega stars to judge the competitors.

The First Lady appealed to the officials to reschedule the time that the show is aired.

“I am a great fan of the program”, she said, and added, “I had to stay late into the night to view the programs”.

She then appealed, “I hope the timing will be re-scheduled when the next season resumes”.

Lady Amina-weris advised the producers of the programs to put in their itineraries a wide range of talents such that the raw ones may be able to be positively exploited. She said that it was a great chance for those with these talents to come to the limelight.

By M.A. Egge

The Minister of Information, National Guidance and Heritage Hon. Abdillahi Mohammed Dahir U’kuse has announced that the department of information has lined up great professionals with vast experiences and engaged their services to boost the production, developement and perfection of the publicly appealing programmes to international standards.

The minister revealed the fact at a ceremony to honour five top awardees of the “Somaliland Got Talent” Television program aired by the SLNTV.

The function was graced by the presence of the First Lady Amina Sheikh Mohammed Jirde (see story elsewhere in this issue).

Hon. U’kuse said “It is incumbent upon us at the ministry to disseminate such programs through the radio and Television”. He said that besides a lot efforts on developing programs having been made, “there is still a lot which remains to be done in this direction”.

He termed such program e.g. the ‘SGT’ as those which have much public appeal, especially amongst the youth bracket.

“We have now pooled great professionals with great talents to help in developing the programs such as Yonis Ali Noor, Hassan Ali Waji, Said Aden Egge, Abdillahi Wayab and Fadhfadhle”, said Hon. U’kuse.

Earlier in the day a handful of Imam’s notably Sheikh Mohammed of Ali Matan Mosque decried the airing of the “SGT’ show, according to reports.

Without giving evidence or being elaborate, they termed it as “un-Islamic”.

Members of the public were mostly taken aback by their claims. A Mr. Abdillahi of a locally based international NGO wads heard exclaiming, “What on earth do they mean or are they in reality saying!?”, while wondering aloud not really expecting an answer.

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y M.A. Egge

The Education Minister Hon. Prof. Farah Mohamud Elmi has asked Marodijeh regional educationist to pep up their services and at the same time file evaluation reports constantly as concerns the educational standards.

In a meeting that the minister held yesterday with the headmasters of the schools within the region, the minister put emphasis on the need of making sure that basic and inter-mediate levels of the primary education be re-vitalized hence perpetually to be aptly standardized.

The scores of head teachers who talked to the media after the meeting could not hide their overwhelming enthusiasm in keeping their part of the bargain.

“We pledge the pepping up of over services”, they said, going by quote in local reports.