By M.A. Egge
The President of the Republic of Somaliland H.E. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro, who is leading a large delegation on a working trip to the Awdal region, on Thursday laid the foundation stone of the main road connecting Boorama and Baki; which was one of the major promises made by the President during the presidential election campaigns.
The groundbreaking ceremony, launched by the President himself, was attended by the Chairman of the WADDANI Party, the Second Deputy Chairman of the House of Representatives, several members of the cabinet, top officials of the Somaliland Roads Development Authority, the Governor of Awdal Region, the Mayor of Boorama, various traditional leaders of Awdal Region and regional eminent dignitaries amongst others.
The importance of the road for the entire Awdal region was highlighted, and the President’s efforts to make a visible impact in terms of infrastructure development in the entire Awdal Region were greatly welcomed.
A week earlier the President made good his promise of embarking on the similarly crucial Hargeisa-Balligubadle road that he had pledged during his campaigns and incorporated them in his initial actions of his first 100 days in office.
The Governor of Awdal region, Mr. Muhumed Hassan Jama (Hodey) and the Mayor of Boorama district, Mr. Mustafa Farah Qabille, who spoke on the occasion, thanked the President for his pragmatism in making good his promises soon after his inauguration.
Some of the most prominent traditional leaders in Awdal region who spoke there, warmly welcomed the progressive step he took in laying the foundation stone of the road connecting the towns of Boorama and Baki, and they clearly stated that this step is a historic one that the President of the nation is doing in developing Awdal region.
The Chairman of the Road Development Authority, Mr. Mohamed Farah underscored the crucial nature of the importance of the road as a lifeline for much of the region, and noted that the President is committed to completing this road.
The Minister of Transport and Roads, Hon. Osman Ibrahim Afgaab, and his counterparts the Minister of Interior Hon. Abdalle Mohamed Arab and the Minister of Information Hon. Ahmed-Yasin Sheikh Ali Ayaanle, who spoke in turn, commended the president for his positive steps to fulfill his campaign promises, and emphasized the importance of the project that is expected to highly boost the regional economic development.
On his part the Chairman of the WADDANI party, Mr. Hirsi Ali Haji Hassan, described the administration dabbed “togetherness and Action” as a success for immediately embarking of the fulfilling of the promises made to the people, and called on the members of the public to work with the government of the day for progressive development.
The Head of State said that he is committed to fulfilling everything he has promised the people, and pointed out that this road will be a key to the development of infrastructure that his government is implementing in the Awdal region.
He said, “This road will increase the production of the region, whether it is agricultural or mineral.”
The President said that the largest projects that his government would implement during its term are planned for the Awdal region, owing to his pledges.
He pointed out that the road from Boorama to Lowya-Ado through Fardo which goes through very rough terrains are part of the projects he has in store for uplifting the economic development of the region.
President Abdirahman Irro and the delegation he led during their working trip were warmly welcomed in the towns of Boorama, Dila and the outskirts of the Aabudla Control Point, where they were welcomed by citizens dressed in the flag of the Republic of Somaliland, chanting ululations with hilarious reception.