Recovery of Somalia's Infrastructures

BY: FARAH JAMA FARAH 

Berbera Port, Somaliland

Somalia has 62 airports seven of them has paved runways which are Aden Adde international airports in Mogadishu, Hargeisa airport in Hargeisa, General Mohamed Abshir Airport in Garowe, Abdullahi Yusuf Airport in Galkayo, Bender Qassim International Airport in Bosaso, Berbera International Airport in Berbera, and Kismayo airport in Kismayo, on the other side, the country has 15 seaports major class ports are found at Mogadishu, Bosaso, Berbera and Kismayo, for the side of roads is 21,830 km long. As of 2010, 2,757 km (12%) of streets are paved, 844 km (3.9%) are gravel, and 18,229 km (83.5%) are earth. 2,559 km are primary roads, 4,850 km are secondary roads, and 14,421 km are rural/feeder roads.

After more than 30 years of bloody conflict, today it seems the government of Somalia, as well as key partners, started to invest more in roads, airports, and seaports infrastructure. In the current year of 2021, more than 4 major projects are underway in the country, and in this article, I will mention little about those projects.

Berbera Port Expansion and Berbera Corridor

In 2016, Somaliland signed a 30-year contract with United Arab Emirates-owned DP World, to manage and expand the Berbera Port. To be a viable import-export option, Berbera will need infrastructure links. In 2019, a 400 million dollar road project to connect the Berbera to Addis Ababa was launched. a total length of 937 kilometers. 241 km are within Somaliland and 696 km are within Ethiopia. The road will compete with the Chinese-built Addis Ababa to Djibouti rail line. after the completion of the Berbera port expansion. It can be docked by a 480m longship. The terminal area of Berbera port is 330000 square meters, while the container terminal length is 400m.

As of May 2021, the Berbera Port Expansion project is nearing completion, and the construction of the Berbera Road is well underway

Gara’ad Port

The project has been implemented in Gara’ad coastal town in Mudug Region Puntland-Somalia, approximately 240km from Galkayo, 303km from the Ethiopian border (Tuurdibi customs), Mogadishu 750km, Bossaso 920km, Berbera 1400km (coastline), and Gara'ad port will be the deepest port in Somalia. reaches -13M.

The project includes an international port with 3 berths that can accommodate large ships and boats, fuel storage tanks, warehouses, and large cargo storage areas. Commercial Offices and Government Centers, Free Trade Zone, and 303 KM Road connecting Gara'ad Port and Tuur-Dibi Customs. This Port can handle 3,500,000 tons per year which can cover any required volume of import services

Gara'ad port is a project funded by the Somali community. The construction and management of this project are managed by Wadaagsan Company. there are two shares.

A. $ 93,750 and more

B- $ 2500 and more.

As of May 2021, 65% of the project has been completed.

Mogadishu-Jawhar Road and Mogadishu-Afgoye Road

The Mogadishu-Jawhar Road is a 90km long two ways dual lane. The project connects between Mogadishu city and Jawhar city passing through Balcad city while the Mogadishu-Afgoye road is 22km long two ways dual lane and connects between Mogadishu city and Afgoye city.

This project is funded by the Qatar Fund for Development and will cost about $ 200m. it is the largest road project to be implemented in Somalia after a civil war in terms of length, width, and connecting regions, the project will contribute to transporting the goods from Jawhar and Afgoye to the port of Mogadishu.

ENEZ Insaat Co. was assigned as the main contractor of the project, and ASTAD project Management Co. was assigned as the supervision consulting firm while the public works Authority (Ashghal) provided technical support for the project.  

As of May 2021, the Mogadishu-Afgoye project is nearing completion, and construction of Mogadishu-Balad will begin soon

El-Dahir and Erigavo Road

It is a road project that connects Bari and Sanag regions, especially El-Dahir and Erigavo town which is 220 km apart. This project was launched on 22 May 2015 and started on 1 October 2016, now in May 2021 it is still ongoing, many challenges are facing it. It is a road project that builds on social cohesion and is being managed by a committee of scholars and businessmen.

The first phase is to reach Badhan, 90km from El-Dahir and more than 15km of asphalt have been laid. It is an unpredictable project when it will be completed, as the money to build it will be raised from the community.

Finally, all the projects I have mentioned will be completed soon, they will change a lot in terms of movement within the country, and exports and imports. They will also make it easier for international investors to invest in the country, which will benefit millions of Somalis.

 In addition, I can mention here that the expansion of Bossaso port will soon begin, and the construction of Hobyo port.

The writer (Farah) is a Civil Engineer who analyzes the recovery of Somalia's infrastructure. and can be reached  @farahtayin or Email Tayin1995@gmail.com.