GAROWE, Somalia Aug 26 (Garowe Online) - The government of Puntland, in Somalia’s northeast, has instituted a watering project intended to service nomadic families across the region.

An event attended by Puntland Vice President Hassan Dahir Afqura was held Tuesday in the village of Bihin, which is located 30km north of the region’s capital, Garowe.

“Our administration is busy trying to help stop thirst for traveling families [nomads],” VP Afqura said.

Abdullahi “Tima-Adde” Hersi, Puntland’s Minister for Public Works, said the regional administration plans to dig 21 water-boreholes across Puntland in the coming months.

Puntland is a semi-arid land that lacks a consistent supply of clean, drinking water. The current administration, which has been criticized for incompetence, is attempting to step-up development efforts ahead of the January 2009 presidential elections.

Source: Garowe Online