By M.A. Egge
The 9th session of the members of cabinet meeting chaired by the Vice President who is currently acting as President, His Excellency Mohamed Ali Aw Abdi, was held at the Presidential Palace of the Republic of Somaliland as per scheduled on Thursday evening.
As per their agenda, the council of ministers heard a report from the Minister of Internal Affairs and National Security, who stated that the general security situation in the country was stable and peaceful, except for usual minor crimes that occur in society and traffic accidents that cause most of the deaths and injuries cases.
The State Minister for the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development gave briefs on the country’s economic situation, acceleration of tax collection and increasing the country’s revenue.
The State Minister, while speaking about the implementation of the National Revenue Unification Plan that the President recently directed to the National Agencies and Ministries, informed the session that it was progressing well.
On his part the Minister of Health Development gave the council an in-depth report on the health service conditions in the eastern regions of Sanaag, Saraar and Togdeer, areas to which the minister visited in a week-long tour earlier in the month.
The main objective of the Minister’s working trip was to thoroughly examine the needs of the health centers in the said regions as concerns medical supplies, transportation and staffing. The Minister and the delegation he led inspected the Hospitals and Health Centers in Gar-adag, Eel-Afweyn, Erigavo, Oog, Aynabo, Burao, Oodweyne and Hara-sheekh.
He lamented that the health facilities have been strained and burdened by conflict strife that calls for bolstering its situation and deployment of physicians who are specialized in emergency surgeries and casualties. The Minister Assemblies Relation and Constitutional Affairs submitted two draft Bills to the Council of Ministers, namely:
1) The National Emblem Act, and
2) The Republic of Somaliland Flag Act.
He noted that the laws would protect and uphold the dignity and values of the Republic of Somaliland National Emblems.
He pointed out that the said Bills are based on the preservation, protection and promotion of the National Emblems, in line with the international laws and regulations that each country sets for its National Emblems.