The World Bank, UN & EU Finalise $550 Million Development & Reconstruction Package For Somaliland

Somaliland Reconstruction and Development Programme conference in Maansoor Hotel, Hargeysa on 26/11/07

Hargeysa, Somaliland, December 1, 2007 (SL Times) – A ceremony held at Mansoor Hotel, in Hargeysa, marked on Thursday, the last day of the government’s discussions with the regional heads of UN, EU and the World Bank preparations for long term Reconstruction and Development Programme earmarked for Somaliland for the next five years at a cost of $550 million.

As part of the ‘Joint Needs Assessment’ (JNA) program, which was initially designed for the “Reconstruction and Development Programme for the whole of Somalia” by the UN and the World Bank in 2005, at first, Somaliland government refused to be part of the JNA enterprise under the TFG and insisted on being treated as an independent entity.

Somaliland government succeeded in getting all its concerns addressed by the JNA enterprise and since its inception [JNA] in 2005, Thursday was the last and final meeting which set and sealed Somaliland’s five year reconstruction and development plan and budget for the JNA program which after many years has been specifically tailored for Somaliland.

The JNA program will put emphasis in Somaliland’s reconstruction and development program for the next coming five years on areas of public services, education, health, access to clean water and substantial construction of new and paved roads leading to regions isolated from major centres and cities. The meeting which had brought together members of the Somaliland   government, legislature, social activists, regional head officers from the United Nations,   the World Bank, and the European Union and donor nations has been taking place since Tuesday and concluded Thursday in Hargeysa.

Speaking at the closing   ceremony, the Somaliland minister of Planning, Ali Ibrahim Mohammed, thanked all the participants for their hard   work and dedication in making this meeting   a reality.       

The minister said: “Its been agreed that the five year plan that we have prepared together with all stakeholders will be presented to the EU and the government of Norway, who will in turn seek to attract other funding partners for more wider projects and proposals.”

In his brief remarks, the minister, Ali Ibrahim stated "that the meeting has concluded with mutual understanding on all sides of the issues, and the   result is an agreement between Somaliland and donor organisation and nations for the ‘Joint Needs Assessment’ program to inaugurate the Somaliland Reconstruction and Development Programme for the coming next five years which has been allocated 550 Million dollars".

Ali Ibrahim also encouraged the International organisations and the donor nations to ensure that the Reconstruction and Development Programme in Somaliland commences as planned at the beginning of 2008.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the Somaliland government and the heads of the UN, World Bank and the European Union delegations signed an agreement which in principle will lead to the commencement of the Somaliland Reconstruction and Development Programme intended for the next five years at a cost of $550 million.

The three leading members of the delegation, Mr. Erich Laroche from the   United Nations, Dr.Chris Lovelace of the World Bank and Mr. Richard Hands of the European Union, also thanked all participants of the meeting and expressed their satisfaction with its outcome.

Omar Mohamed Farah (Qarannews) contributed to this report.

Source: Somaliland Times