By Goth Mohamed Goth
The Minister of Minerals and Energy, Hon. Abdillahi Farah Abdi, today signed a bilateral agreement between the governments of the Republic of Somaliland and Taiwan to advance the development of the Petroleum, Minerals, and Energy sector as part of an agreement between the two countries to work together.
The agreement was signed by Taiwan’s Minister of Economy and Somaliland Minister of Energy and Minerals and handed over copies to Taiwan’s Ambassador to Somaliland Amb. Allen C. Lou.
The signing ceremony was held at the Ministry of Energy and Minerals premises and was attended by members of the cabinet and government agencies among them Dr. Saad Ali Shire, Minister of Finance, Hon. Suleiman Warsame Guled, the Minister of Justice,Hon. Mohamed H. Aden Elmi, Minister of National Assemblies, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdinasir Omar Jama, and Mr. Ahmed Farah Adare, the Chairman of the Energy Commission, and members of visiting delegation from the Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Firstly, the Minister of Energy and Minerals of the Republic of Somaliland, Hon. Abdillahi Farah Abdi spoke about the importance of implementing and advancing the friendly agreements reached between Somaliland and Taiwan in 2020, which focused on Agriculture, Fisheries, Minerals, Energy, and Health. and Education.
The Energy Minister added that there is a need to intensify the sharing of data on mineral resources, energy, and legislation to develop the Mineral and Energy zones, and also briefed those attending the signing ceremony on the ongoing oil exploration activities in the country which is now entering the drilling phase.
Oil exploration companies General Energy and RAK Gas LLC have confirmed their exploration in areas of suspected oil reserves, with the drilling phase scheduled to begin in 2023.
He said there were other opportunities for investment in the oil sector, with only 25% of the blockchain were currently licensed and 75% open for bidding.
Minerals.
Speaking on minerals and ongoing projects, the Minister highlighted the ongoing exploration and mining activities in the country by private companies, with special explorations conducted by the Ministry of Energy and Minerals funded by the National Budget.
Energy
Hon. Abdillahi Abdi Farah, the Minister of Energy and Minerals of the Republic of Somaliland, explained the Ministry’s mission and vision for energy security and how to achieve safe and secure electricity. Production and multifaceted development of this Nation.
To achieve this goal the Ministry of Energy and Minerals of the Republic of Somaliland, and Taiwan can work together in the following areas.
Reconstruction and development across the various key sectors of the energy sector and energy agencies, including the Ministry of Energy and Minerals, reform and implementation of laws, policies, guidelines and procedures for studies and research investigation, etc,” said Minister Abdillahi Abdi Farah.
Amb. Allen C. Lou, the Ambassador of Taiwan to Somaliland on his part, welcomed the agreement reached between the Republic of Somaliland and his country and described it as another historic step forward for both nations.
lastly, members of the Council of Ministers praised the Ministry of Energy and Minerals’ efforts, and at the same time emphasized the importance of the agreement to the United Nations and the Republic of Taiwan, and welcomed the implementation of the agreement.
