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Somaliland: 2nd Somali Peace Festival to be held in "Hargeisa" during the Summer

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IREX Europe, IREX and KMC (KOW Media Corporation) are excited to hold a second edition of the

Somali Peace Festival.

The 2014 event will promote the Horn of Africa as a land where peace and reconciliation is possible.

The main festival will take place in Hargeisa, Somaliland in the late summer.

Hargeisa is a fitting location as one of the most peaceful cities in the region and in Africa. Two successive

events highlighting the best entries of the festival will follow, one in Mogadishu and one in Nairobi,

Kenya. Artists and amateurs from the Horn of Africa and the Diaspora are being invited to submit entries

to the three categories; film, photo and art. Their work will be displayed at the festival, along with

performances by famous Somali musicians, poets, artists and actors. The events will welcome not only

local spectators but also attract visitors from the Somali diaspora communities as well as the international

community. The 2014 2nd Somali Peace Festival follows the success of the first festival organized in

Hargeisa in March 2012 by IREX Europe and KMC (KOW Media Corporation). Entries by participating

artists portrayed messages of peace and tolerance, showing images of courage and a vision of a better

future. Finalists saw their work displayed at the three-day festival in Hargeisa, with an awards ceremony

capping the final day attracting a large audience.

For more information about the festival and how you can participate, please contact KMC or IREX Europe

at the following emails:

kow@kowmedia.net / info@irexeurope.eu

Somaliland:The Man in Garowe should know there is nothing in the World he Can do to stop President Silanyo from Visiting Las Gorey

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By Goth Mohamed Goth

The Assistant Minister of Energy and Minerals Resources Hon Abdisalan Mohamed Hassan termed recent comments made by furious Puntlands official while responding to the recent visit by that President Silanyo to the eastern regions in which they alleged that the head of state had sneaked into the coastal town of Las corey aspure lies which lacks substances .

The Deputy Minister speaking to local reporter’s yesterday evening in the VIP lounge at the Egal International Airport moments after he arrived in the country after two weeks in China termed the recent Presidential tour as a victory for the people of Somaliland as a whole.

“It’s a high time this man who says he is a Minister in Garowe that H.E President Ahmed Mohamed Mahmoud is a man of actions and when he came to Las Gorey initiate much needed development projects for his fellow countrymen and let me remind this man that President Silanyo will be coming back soon rather than later to open those projects upon their completion which he had just initiated.

The youthful Assistant Minister is among the Ministers in the cabinet who hail from the eastern region of Sanaag.

SomalilandPress.com

 

Somaliland:Water Tanker Tricycles are now becoming the preferred choice for Water Distribution in Hargeisa

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By Goth Mohamed Goth

In this age of technology and innovation one can’t afford to be left behind this is the case with water vendors in Hargeisa who are now shifting at a very rapid pace from the usual reliance on donkeys to more conventional and cheap mode of transport which come inform of water tricycles.

Mr. Hussein Aden Daud, a water tricycle operator gave “Dawan Newspaper “the interview on the topic because of his experience which spans almost a decade and half working as a water vendor using his donkey drawn cart to sell water to homes in areas which get little water and those without the water connections in the city of Hargeisa.

Since I bought the water tricycle business for me has never been the same again I have managed to save some money for my children’s education because my business is now cost-effective and my expense is much more less than before now that I have no animal to fed

only uses 4 liters of fuel and is equipped with a 400 liter tanker or equivalent to 2 barrels some three months ago, and the tanker is more hygienic and through the extra trips I make every day and the fact more customers are willing to buy water because of the cheaper prices which tricycle riders charge their customers to the price of 1 barrel which we 9000 SL/Sh and the 12.000 SL/Sh donkey drawn carts charge per barrel.

Over the past two decades, IDPs and rural urban migrants have drastically inflated the population and the ever expanding poor settlements where connection to tap water does not exist, local water vendors play a central role in water distribution. Water vendors cover between 95-98% of water distribution to households, with the remaining 2-5% of households fetching water themselves.

Until lately, Tanker drivers in Hargeisa made all the money when it comes to the water business; commuting between the water points where they buy water cheaply and these communities to supply water to individual homes. The trend seems however appears to be changing at a rapid pace, with tricycle riders now becoming the preferred choice of water distribution as their rates are lower.

Mr. Hussein Aden Daud  Aka Fanah life has changed for the better due to his water business  which for now appears to more lucrative had this message for his friends although most of us desire for greater opportunities, this ‘JOB’ for the time being, is a stepping stone, we hope to diligently manage until that time comes.

 SomalilandPress.com

Somaliland:Kibir Iyo Idha Adeeg —A Somali Parody of a Jane Austen classic

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By: A. Ahmed Farah

Part 1—-The New Villa

It is a truth universally acknowledged, within the greater Somali community, that an educated, single Somali man in possession of a stable job and passport, must take at least one wife.

And it was for this reason that the families residing in one of the many upper class neighbourhoods scattered across the outskirts of the city of Hargeisa, eagerly watched the progress of the new villa that was being erected in their midst. For as soon as the first brick had been laid rumours had begun to circulate about the owner. Some had stated that he was a physician from Norway, who had decided to move his practice to Somaliland to help his people. Others said he was a computer engineer who worked for Microsoft in the UK, and had moved to Hargeisa to start his own telecommunications company. Still others asserted he was a business man, and had come to Hargeisa for the improvement of his mother’s health. Regardless, however, of what the rumours stated about his profession or his whereabouts they all agreed on the essentials—-he was unmarried, had a passport and was employed.

Of those most eager for the villa’s completion was a lady named Khadra, the mother of four remarkable beautiful though single girls, Samira, Maryam, Ihlan and Idil, who ranged in age from 29 to 16. With seven nearly all grown children in total, Khadra’s main preoccupation had become to marry off her daughters. Her leisurely activities included gossiping, buying direhs and dahb, and attending weddings, which offered her the opportunity of not only showing off her new direh and dahb but also the chance to gossip. She had only two fervent prayers: the first that her children should find good spouses, and the second that her husband should return their family to Toronto.

Mr. Osman, or the Hajji as Khadra called her husband, had moved his family from Canada, where they had lived for nearly twenty years, to Hargeisa, five years ago in order to open his own university. His character was the exact opposite of his wife’s. He was by profession an intellectual, having studied and found interest in various subjects, including politics, religion, philosophy, literature, history, geography, science and mathematics. His leisurely activities consisted of reading, studying and writing articles about Somali politics which had been published on several prominent Somali websites.

Mr. Osman was the type of men who could enter into almost any conversation with ready and informed opinions—-any that is expect for his wife’s conversations. He knew nothing about and cared nothing for the latest gossip which was all his wife ever seemed to talk about. As a result he would often enter into conversation with his wife in a sarcastic manner, which his wife always failed to comprehend.

In the evenings, when there were no weddings to dress for, Khadra would take walks around the neighbourhood for her the improvement of her health with her good friend and neighbour Zahra. In Zahra, she found a sympathetic listener to her endless complaints about the various hardships of life in Hargeisa and a fountain source of gossip. Zahra’s husband, Mr. Ismail had moved his family from America three years ago after having retired from his job. Having worked hard for over thirty years and having saved a great deal of money, he had now come to Somaliland to squander it all away in politics. He was the MP for a remote village constituency which he rarely visited and like most politicians in Somaliland, he lived in a grand villa and drove an SUV.  His time was chiefly spent at political luncheons and dinners, where a great deal was always discussed and nothing was ever agreed upon or accomplished.  Happy with his life and achievements he was naturally friendly, kind and generous to everyone. He was also a true patriot! There was no fault which Somaliland possessed which could not be made to appear either favourably by comparison to countries in worse conditions or  pitiable by simply blaming it on the neglect or brutality of the reformer Somalia government. His great love of Somaliland he had determined many years ago would be something he would share with everyone and as such he could spend hours speaking in praise of Somaliland, which was something his wife and children were made to endure on a daily basis.

Khadra and Zahra’s wonderings through the neighbour would always end with their stopping to survey the construction of the new villa. Zahra too took a keen interest in its process having an unmarried daughter, named Ubah who was just about to enter her 30th year of life. The owner himself could not have taken a keener interest in the construction of his home then these two ladies or have been more outraged than Khadra at the slow pace of the workers or more horrified with the paint job than Zahra.

One Friday afternoon at dinner Khadra’s youngest child, Liban, a boy of 12, announced that he and his father had met the owner of the new villa at the mosque. Khadra eager to find out all she could about their neighbour, accosted his husband with hundreds of questions, all of which he refuse to answer, to the great vexation of his wife, expect to say that his name was Farhan Bashir, he was from England and that he came to Hargeisa alone but that his mother, a widow, and sister would soon come to live with him.

“Well we should make sure to invite them over to dinner,” his wife stated, as he picked up the newspaper to read.

“Why should we?”  The hajji asked his wife.

“Because—-Hajji—-it the neighbourly thing to do!” his wife stated.

“Well, I am sorry to disappoint you but he informed me that he came here solely for the improvement of his mother’s health. He hopes she may get a lot of rest and relaxation, while she is here. Therefore, I thought that even neighbourly hospitality might be bothersome to him and thus feel that the kindest, most neighbourly thing we could do is to leave them to the peace and quiet they seek,” her husband replied.

“Peace and Quiet! I have never heard of anyone coming to Hargeisa for peace and quiet!—-People come here to learn about their culture—-meet people——and how are they ever to meet anyone if people don’t invite them over to their homes.—-I’m sure if  his mother was truly sick he would never have thought of bring her from Europe. And I’m sure that the only thing ailing her is the loneliness often associated with living in a foreign land, and a lack of sunlight. Now that she is home and amongst her own people again, the best remedy for her is socialization—-and the kindest, most neighbourly thing we could do is to extend the hand of friendship to this poor widow and her children by inviting them over to our home for dinner,” she paused for a moment, to let the logic of her argument sink into her husband’s head.

“And,” she added momentarily, “you know many young men come to Hargeisa to find a wife, and well if her son is looking why should we deprive him of the opportunity of meet our girls. Zahra and her husband are inviting the Bashirs over to dine for that reason alone, and you know how much more beautiful our girls are than her skeleton, beady eyed daughters.”

The hajji at this remark lifted his eyes up from his newspaper stared at his wife.

“Would it not be simpler, instead of going through all the trouble of prepare the meal and turning the house upside down in preparation for their arrival, if you and all the other mothers keen to marry off your daughters simply line up your girls and have him choose his favourite to marry? Surely that would save time and energy.”

“Hajji! How could you suggest such a thing!”

“There’s no need to fear his not choosing one of our girls. Our girls have been bestowed with a great deal of beauty and smarter and wiser men than him have fallen victim to a pretty face. And although, except for Samira, the rest may lack common sense—-We can always take comfort in the fact that rare is the Somali man who would choose a sensible wife over a beautiful wife,” replied the Hajji.

“Oh hajji!” exclaimed his wife frustrated, the meaning of his words completely lost on her. “I often wonder if you have no wish to see your daughters married well? Or whether you want any grandchildren? “

“I do,” her husband replied eagerly. “And as I have informed you on several occasions my cousin in the Hawd writes to me often asking for their hands in marriage for his sons.”

“My daughters—-who were born and raised in North America with university degrees—-you suggest that we marry them off to camel herders?” she asked enraged.

“Oh, he knows their value! Rest assured of that—- and offers a very handsome dowry as a result—-40 camels for each! Why we could retire on that!”

“How can you be so cruel to your own children?” Khadra exclaimed emotionally.  “If they were to marry camel herders it would be all your doing! What other choice do they have? First you moved us from Toronto where they might have met young people who were their equals, and then you moved us to the most isolated neighbourhood in Hargeisa—-where the only neighbours we have are goats and camels! Now finally when my prayers have been answered, you are determined to ruin everything! At times I wonder if the reason you don’t want your children married is because you are planning to save the money you would spend on their weddings so that you can take a second wife!”

The hajji calmly got up from the table and folding his newspaper glanced over at his wife.

“You need not worry yourself on that account—I never make the same mistake twice,” he remarked, before proceeding to leave the room.

Somaliland:The Independent Media and Legislators jointly call on the Present Government to adopt the Current Press Law (Law No: 27/2004)

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One Day Event held to strengthen interaction  between the Independent Media and The House of Representatives

By Goth Mohamed Goth

Honorable members of parliament and members of the Somaliland media fraternity led by Somaliland Journalist Association and parliamentarians jointly called on the present  government to adopt the current code of conduct (Law No: 27/2004) and both sides have also agreed to set up joint committee so that both sides can interact more in the future.

In a one day event held in Mansoor Hotel and organized by Somaliland Journalist Association SOLJA and funded by NED, brought together 7 MPs from the various house sub committees led by the chairman of the house committee on social affairs Hon Hassan Awale Ainan and more than 23 journalist form independent and governmental institutions to brains storm on the challenges facing the members of the media fraternity in executing their daily duties and the frequent arrests on journalist the ineffectiveness of the current the press law and the then 2012 meeting which took place between the President Silanyo and SOLJA of which both parties agreed to adapt the current press law (Law No: 27/2004) as the only applicable law to name a few of the topics discussed at the today’s event which finally resulted to a five point declaration.

1 To enhance future cooperation of the national Assembly and the independent media

2. The formation of a joint committee whose members will be drawn from members of the independent media and MPs whose main task will be to jointly draft legislation meant to  safeguard the freedom of expression and in compliance with the press law.

3. To adopt the current press law (Law No: 27/2004) as the only press law in the country and any amendments to  current Press Law should be made, in consultation with the independent media.

4.  The national Assembly should establish a media liaison office which will coordinate and fill the gap that exists between the two sides.

5. All Media personnel in the country should adhere and work within the current the press law (Law No: 27/2004) and should at all times work in compliance with local and international norms.   

Somaliland:Chinese Partners to Conduct Comprehensive Survey to Map Country's Mineral Deposits-Energy Minister

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By Goth Mohamed Goth

Somaliland Minister of Energy and Minerals Resources Hon Hussein Abdi Dualeh and other top officials in his ministry today returned to the country after concluding  the a two and half weeks tour which began in Dubai , UAE followed by a two week working stint covering three different region of peoples republic of China.

Hon Hussein Abdi Dualeh speaking to the media during a press conference held in the VIP lounge at the Egal International Airport said, “The purpose of our recent trip to China came about when we (Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources) got an invitation from the GUANGZHOU DONGSONG ENERGY CO LTD which recently signed a contractual agreement with Somaliland government to conduct a nationwide Comprehensive survey to map the mineral potential and to develop the country’s energy sector.

“We started our working tour in Guangzhou province where the energy company operations are mainly based, there we got firsthand familiarization of the company’s massive operations, afterwards we then proceeded to Yunnan Province where major mining activities take place and finally we had the opportunity to fly to Beijing the capital of the people’s republic of china where we had a series of meeting with top management of the Chinese energy firm”, he stated.

Hon Hussein Abdi Dualeh went on to say, “Our Chinese partners assured us of their commitment to begin the compressive survey of minerals in the country which will be conducted by Chinese owned satellites also known as remote sensing which will be used to map the various types of minerals present and their geographical location in the country this will be the first phase and will be followed by deploying engineers and geologist on the ground to conduct geological assessment of the presence of minerals in the ground. The Chinese energy company will then partner with two firms of Chinese origins one which known as the China Remote Sensing.

“During our numerous meeting with the management of Chinese energy firm, we reaffirmed the need to develop our coal industry by the extracting ,production of coal Somaliland, our government and the Chinese firm will enter agreement for the construction of a power factory which will produce electricity through locally produced coal”, he said.

The Minister of Energy added , “When the satellites and geological survey are completed ,then only then shall we be in a position to determine the mineral types that exist and the quantities which will hence be of important significance in the signing of future agreements and contracts between our government and would be interested groups the mining sector.

“Our Chinese partners have pledged to open new doors in Sino-Somaliland relation and they ‘re extending an invitation to H.E President Ahmed Mohamed Mahmoud Silanyo to visit mainland China in the near future ; The energy company they even went to the extent of promising to establish a Chinese language website which will be used for exposing what Somaliland as a country has to offers to the Chinese people and to the world in particular and the opening an office in the industrial city of Guangzhou soon aimed at promoting our shared interests and which will also be a commercial office which will in the future issue visas and most importantly to enhance diplomatic relations between the government of Somaliland and the Chinese government”, Hon. Dualeh said.

 SomalilandPress.com

Somaliland:Mo Farah to Donate Funds for A New Children’s Home to be Built in Hargeisa

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The Mayor of Hargeisa  lay’s the foundation stone at the site Where the New Children Home will be Built

By Goth Mohamed Goth

The Mayor of Hargeisa Mr. Abdurrahman Mahmoud Aideed has laid the foundation stone for a state of the art center which will shelter orphans, street and disabled children through donations made by Somaliland born British international track and field athlete

Speaking during the ground breaking ceremony the Mayor of Hargeisa said “The new children home which will be built on these land donated by a Somaliland citizens , will be fully furnished with a school, dormitories, recreation facilities and a clinic on the premises to offer primary healthcare to the less fortunate children.

The two brothers Mr. Ahmed Ali Guled and Mr. Jama Ali Guled ,who donated the land in which the future orphanage will be build said they were happy that someone had finally come forward to help in the building of the home the two brothers went on to say they donated the land so as to improve the living conditions of less fortunate children.

“This home upon completion will make a sustainable difference that will not only make a significant impact on the lives of the less fortunate children but will also benefit the society as a whole and we hope others wealth citizens shall follow suit in donating towards the home”, Mr. Ahmed Ali Guled said.

Local Councilman Mr. Abdi Ali Yusuf who was among the dignitaries  present at the ground breaking ceremony said, “I am glad to see private citizens of this nation taking the lead in helping their fellow citizens and he also applauded the siblings for their generosity.

The donated land located in Heedho in the northern fringes KM from city center.

On the other hand the Mayor of Hargeisa revealed the Mayor of Djibouti city had pledged to assist the city of Hargeisa with garbage collection vehicles during his visit to neighboring Djibouti last week  and that the fellow Mayor of Djibouti city had will be coming to Hargeisa in May to sign a memorandum of understanding which will see the two capital partner to become twin cities.

 SomalilandPress.Com

Somaliland:SONYO participates in the International Youth Conference Held in Tokyo, Japan

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The Vice chairperson of Somaliland National Youth Organization (SONYO Umbrella), Mr. Mustapha Mohamed Dahir has attended at an International conference with the goal of addressing international youth development issues using the method of design thinking from 9 to 16 March, 2014 in Tokyo, Japan.

The conference which was organized by the International Development Youth Forum (IDYF) and Japan National Youth Council with the help of Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Japan International Cooperation Agency with the theme of “DEVELOPMENT X INNOVATION” was attended by fifty youth delegates around the world.

During the conference, the delegates discussed youth development issues, the role of technology in reducing poverty and solutions for the major problems facing young people today, especially the problems facing young people in developing countries such as Somaliland.

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SONYO Vice Chairperson, Mr. Mustapha Mohamed Dahir (pictured second right) with executive members of Japanese National Youth council

SONYO Umbrella Vice Chairperson addressing to the delegates at the conference highlighted the current situation of Somaliland youth and the current issues affecting Somaliland youth today such as; unemployment, illegal immigration and the lack of sports facilities in the country.

The participants of the conference realized the current situation of Somaliland youth and the need of international community to assist Somaliland for finding solutions to the existing problems which will not affect Somaliland alone but will also upset horn of Africa region, the Gulf of Aden and the world in general. SONYO umbrella signed the resolution of the conference on behalf of Somaliland.

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Japanese National Youth council officials waving Somaliland flag

During the conference, SONYO Vice Chairperson had separate arranged meetings with the leaders of national youth councils from Canada, China, Serbia, Malaysia, India, Costa Rica and Russia. He also met with the chairman of the Japanese National Youth council where they agreed the establishment of relationship and cooperation between Somaliland and Japanese youth.

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SONYO Vice Chairperson, Mr. Mustapha Mohamed Dahir in the conference hall.

Mr. Mustapha also met with two senior officials from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Mr Ikegami Kei and Mr Osawa Wataru where he gave them detailed explanation from the needs of Somaliland youth and Somaliland independence as  well.

Somaliland National Youth Organization (SONYO Umbrella) deems the participation of world youth conferences as a right step towards the right direction and an opportunity to present the needs of Somaliland youth in international stages to seek international support for finding solutions to challenges facing Somaliland youth.

Best Regards

Mubarak Ismail Taani

SONYO Umbrella Chairperson

 

Somalilander’s Wants Real And Tangible Development Not Empty Promises.

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It is good to travel through the country coast to coast, but for what? President of Somaliland, Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud (Siranyo), started a long voyage through Somaliland by land, meeting with locals and promising development in a campaign style this week and is still travelling.

 

Some residents in Bulohar near Bebera city were so appreciative to receive shipment of rice from the President’s delegation and praised him to the highest level.

 

I was so touched by the innocence of this community and surprised how they perceived this aids arrival. They saw it as if it was the gift of the President rather than their god given rights. It is clearly shown how the Somalilander to this day and age are not informed about their rights as a citizen of this country. Sadly, they do not see the President as their public employee whom they could replace in any time.

 

Public requires to be educated about this and should know that it was the responsibility of the president to know their condition and hard hit areas before he took office not three years later.

 

Nonetheless, the President placed a stone in every town he stops and continue promising additional projects from Borome, Saylac, Lughaya, Bulahar , all the way to Lasgoreh, again it is all good, but for what purpose does this have? What is the point of promising additional projects if you couldn’t deliver or complete outstanding ones?

 

Ever since, this three years old administration came to power in Somaliland, there was no shortage of promises and placing stones. So many different projects were commenced in different parts of the country, but none of them had been completed as yet. Isn’t it logical and realistic to complete one task before you start the next one? Yes, but it seems in this administration, quantity of the projects started is far more important than the quantity of the finished ones.

 

Just to name a few incomplete projects, the road of Odweyne to Hargeysa, Hargeysa to Ina-guha, Hargeysa to Baligubadle, Hargeysa to Lughaya, and the number of road projects in Gabiley Area , Berbera to Hiis, Hargeysa to Bebera and Buro to Erigavo are somewhat under construction for the past two years.

 

However, the government of Somaliland sees these projects as clan driven, and does not think of themselves as having any chief responsibility except the one from Buro to Eregavo. In addition to these incomplete roads, 70% Hargeysa residence does not have any running water.

 

Precedential palace Minister Mr. Hirsi H. Hassan, reiterated known information about Hargeysa’s water shortage last month, but did not provide any concrete solution to Hargeysa’s water predicament. This is the most pressing issue in Somaliland today as far as the average Hargeysa resident is concerned.

 

Nevertheless, though there is no plan, no priority and no accountability in this government, but energy and ambition to achieve something. In order to harness this energy and focus into the right direction for whatever is left in this President’s term, President Siraanyo needs to sit down, analyze and revaluate his government’s performances.

 

To achieve this, he has to sit down with an independent group of economists alone with his Minister of Planning to set the priority of the nation straight and decide which project has to be first. He also needs to avoid any traces and resemblances of the past regimes, such as surrounding himself with victory pioneers, Red Pat securities personals and praises of those well wishers around him. This can cause unintended consequences if it does not come to an end as well as destroy the legacy of the presidency.

 

By Ali Jama

 

ahmedfayr@hotmail.com

Somaliland:Environment Minister opens One Day Conference on Environmental Protection

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By Goth Mohamed Goth

The Minister of Environment and Rural Development Hon Shukri Haji Ismael Bandare today opened one day meeting to discuss and drafting of the environmental protection legislations amid the current rapid industrialization pace in the country.

Madam Shukri Bandare speaking at the one day event said, “We should put in places policies which are in a way act as effective guidelines in deterring industrial pollution resulting from rapid urbanization and industrialization and which are synchronize with environmental protection social development could reach a co-ordinated benefit.

“We are currently working with the few industries established in the country so that both of us can adopt very forward-looking strategies and which are emphasizing a more balanced and co-ordinated approach to development and conservation, and which will be put in practice in an early stage of the country industrialization,” Madam Shukri Bandare said.

Lastly the Minister of Environment and Rural Development said, “Currently we only have light industries established in the country but that may change soon that’s why we should act fast in order to  avoid some of the worst pollution scenario experienced in more developed and heavily industrialized countries in the world.

The event which was co- organized by Somaliland Ministry of Industries attracted various international and local environmental protection groups and the representatives of various governmental agencies.

SomalilandPress.com