Puntland MPs accuse Somalia’s federal government of obstructing development projects

Tuesday, August 20, 2024

GAROWE (HOL) – Several MPs elected from Puntland have again accused the Federal Government of Somalia of obstructing development projects and withholding international aid meant for the Puntland region.

In a press release issued on Tuesday, federal lawmakers condemned what they called a policy of “collective punishment” that deprived Puntland of basic services and equal development opportunities.

The MPs called for the immediate release of all development projects and international funds, stressing that these resources are vital to Puntland’s economic infrastructure, education, health, hydropower and fisheries sectors. They argued that these projects should not be used as political bargaining chips, stressing that they are vital for the well-being of the people of the region.

Deputy Finance Minister Abdiqafar Elmi Hange recently confirmed that the federal government had allocated $6 million to Puntland. However, Puntland State Information Minister Mohamud Eidid Dirir said the funds came from the World Bank in response to a request for budget support and had nothing to do with federal government funding.

Minister Diril accused the Federal Government of deliberately blocking millions of dollars allocated to various projects in Puntland and claimed that the central government insisted on managing these projects from Mogadishu. He claimed that this was the root cause of the ongoing conflict between Puntland and the Federal Government.

In April this year, Minister Hanji accused Puntland leader Said Abdullahi Deni Obstruction Several important projects, including the National Teachers’ Salary Project, the Damal Health Project, the Barwaaqo Project (formerly known as Biyole), the Budget Subsidy Project, and the Energy and Power Project, are awaiting Puntland’s signature, Hanger noted.

Relations between Puntland and the Somali federal government have been strained since Deni came to power. unsuccessful According to Minister Hanji, he will run for the post of Prime Minister of Somalia.