By M.A. Egge
The state has decried the spiraling case of traffic accidents and has advised the addressing of the menace through a national strategic means. The state lamented that the escalated accidents had resulted in many fatalities and casualties, amongst other destruction.
The state has also revealed that the number of both primary and secondary school candidate students seating for the national examinations this year are numbering forty thousand.
These were made public during the 23rd Session of the Council of Ministers meeting that was chaired by the President His Excellency Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro that was held on Wednesday evening at the Somaliland Presidential Palace.
The agenda discussed according to press release by Presidential spokesperson Hussein Adam Igeh was as follows: –
* National security and stability: The Minister of Interior and Security, Hon. Abdalle Mohamed Arab, stated that the stability of the six regions of the country is secure, both in terms of security and politics. The Minister told the session that road traffic accidents are a national problem, as they cause the most deaths in our country, and therefore there is a need for a national strategy and advisory to put it in check.
* National economic and financial situation: The Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Hon. Abdillahi Hassan, informed the cabinet that overall business activity and transactions in the country’s markets have increased, which is an indication of confidence in the new government’s economic policy.
The Minister said that, in order to increase the National Revenue, the Ministry has reviewed and re-evaluated the important taxes that generate National Revenue, such as:
- Payroll Income Tax;
- Rental Income Tax;
- Business Income Tax;
- Goods and Service Tax
He said that the country’s economy was improving on a daily basis.
* Health: The Minister of Health Development Dr. Hussein Bashir Hirsi, gave the session a general report on the health situation in our country, stating that there are no urgent or alarming issues related to the health situation in the country.
The Minister said that the Blood Transfusion programme and the Vaccination Campaigns for young children are progressing as planned. He added that the ministry is engaged in the Somaliland Child Nutrition Program.
* Religion and Endowment report: The Minister of the Ministry of Religion and Endowments of Somaliland, Sheikh Abdullahi-Baashe Dahir Jama, gave a briefing to the Cabinet on the progress of the important activities for which the Ministry of Religion and Endowments is responsible.
The Minister said that the Ministry has a good working relationship and understanding with all the scholars of the country, regardless of their sub-sects.
He said that the Ministry has an important role in raising awareness among the public and protecting the fundamental principles of the society such as strengthening and practicing the good tenets of the religion, preventing vices and stalling issues that dent the security and stability of the country, the unity and coexistence of the Somaliland people. The Minister decried the immoral things happening on social media, and suggested that the government should have a unified approach in addressing the matter and take a strong stand against such vices.
* Education sector and the national schools examinations: The Minister of Education and Science, Professor Ismail Duale Yusuf, briefed the Cabinet on the progress of the schools national Certificate of Examinations process that will commence nationwide on Saturday, 21.06.2025.
The Minister said that this year, 40,000 students will sit for the Certificate Examinations for both primary and secondary schools. He noted that the awareness campaign among students and their parents to prevent exams cheating, locally known as QISHKA, is progressing well, with the Ministry collaborating with the Ministries of Religion and Endowments and Information, Culture and Awareness.