Somalia: Puntland President convenes Parliament

GAROWE, Somalia, October 25, 2015 (Garowe Online)-The President of Somalia’s Puntland Government, Abdiweli Mohamed Ali has officially opened the 36^th parliamentary session in the state capital of Garowe on the heels of controversial pay rise on Sunday, Garowe Online reports.

Puntland Parliament Speaker, Saed Hassan Shire has initially spoken about the ravaging drought that hit some parts in the northeastern state, and recent clan revenge attacks in Sool.

Speaker Shire emphasized that the state needs to tackle the adverse effects of drought on pastoral communities. He called on warring clans in Sool to choose peace and heed the ongoing mediation efforts by Jubaland and Puntland traditional leaders.

Delivering his constitutional speech in parliament, President Ali touched on key issues including security, political development, social services delivery and economic infrastructure.

Security

Puntland President said, the northeastern state remains stable except for clan clashes that left over a dozen people dead in Maga’ley and Qoriley areas in Nugal and Sool regions respectively.

President Ali boasted that Puntland secured major gains against Al Shabaab terrorists in the rugged terrain of Galgala and other hideouts along Golis Mountain Range.

He urged displaced people-mainly farmers and nomads-to come back to areas where calm has returned.

Social Services

On social services delivery, Ali said that his government made great strides in health, education and water sectors to increase outreach to remote areas.

Puntland President further noted that they received merit-based scholarship positions for secondary school students.

Economic Infrastructure

Puntland leader disclosed that Bossaso International Airport will open its doors by year end in December. First flights are expected to be conducted by regional and international carriers upon ribbon-cutting ceremony in Bossaso Port City.

He said, major renovation that would continue through October, 2016, will commence on Garowe airport in forthcoming November. Following substantial funds by wealthy Kuwait, Garowe airport is gearing up for paved runway, air traffic control tower, fuel stations, parking plane spots, amongst other aviation structures.

Similar refurbishment will see Bossaso port and Garowe-Galkayo road. Puntland is currently raising funds for the construction of a road that would connect cosmopolitan Bossaso to El-Dahir.

Labeling Mudug as ‘neglected’, Puntland President stated that he beefed up security, reformed judicial institutions and restored public buildings back in the hands of the government over his stay in Galkayo.

National Consultative Conference

Speaking about his trip to Mogadishu, Puntland President said that he joined Somali political leaders in crafting format for transition ahead of 2016 elections.

“Puntland conveyed its views during [National Consultative Conference],” he went on.

He bashed unnamed individuals for spreading crummy ideas on social networking sites.

Ali declined to engage in question-and-answer session in parliament, requesting that parliamentary deliberation be postponed to unspecified date.

GAROWE ONLINE