By M.A. Egge
The President of the Republic of Somaliland H.E. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro officially laid over the week the foundation stone for the road connecting Hargeisa and Baligubadle.
The President promised to complete the road at any cost.
He noted that the reason he chose to start his first trip with Hawd region is to fulfill his government’s commitment in the first 100 days, which has the construction of the road between the cities of Hargeisa and Baligubadle as a major priority.
He highlighted the fact that the construction of the road would greatly contribute to the development of trade services between Somaliland and Ethiopia, adding that it would similarly greatly ease and shorten the distance to and from Baligubadle, as well as reduce fuel and maintenance costs of the vehicles plying the route hence immensely boost the economy.
He said that the construction of roads plays a significant role in the growth of cities and the economic development of the community.
He said, “Today, I have chosen Hawd Region to begin my first trip within the country and to lay the foundation stone for the completion of the important Hargeisa-Balligubadle road, which was one of the commitments of my ‘Togetherness and Action’ government in the first hundred days of its term”.
He continued, “I thank God for fulfilling the promise. Hawd Region is the center and mother of the struggle of the nation, and today I want it to be a symbol of the unity and solidarity of the people of Somaliland”.
Balligubdle was the headquarters of the SNM throughout the struggles of the 1980s that lastly saw the nation re-asserting its sovereignty by dissolving the ill-fated union with the Italian Somaliland.
The president underscored the incalculable benefits that the road has for the Hawd region, the capital Hargeisa and the trade relations between Somaliland and Ethiopia.
The President urged for careful driving since unnecessary accidents which would have been avoided have been rife due to negligence.
He assured the nation that his government “will focus on developing projects as much as possible, and we will take responsibility for ensuring that they reach all regions and areas of the country equally.”