Wajaale, Somaliland, March 8, 2008 (SL Times) – The border town of Wajaale is experiencing a water crisis. In the last 48 hours Wajaale has been without water. Water tanker vehicles stopped coming into the town.

Wajaale’s bore-hole is not functioning and the ministry of Water and Minerals refuses to repair it despite evidence that the Minister Water and Minerals, Qasim Sh. Yusuf, is awash with cash allegedly from kick backs paid to him by oil middlemen.

The Balis have dried up and are being used as a soccer field by kids.

The nearest water-point for Wajaale is Geed-Balaadh’s bore-hole. But the repairing and re-commissioning of the well stopped short of completion due to the central government’s refusal to fulfill its commitment to fund about 20 percent of the costs. International organizations met their commitment to do the rest of the job needed to reinstate Geed-Balaadh.

ccording to Qawrax Muse, Wajaale’s headman, the rehabilitation of Geed-Balaadh bore-hole stopped due to the government’s failure to provide its share of the contributions pledged.

President Dahir Rayale Kahin visited Wajaale last month and was made aware of the severe water problem faced by the town. But he has not done anything to alleviate the problem.

President Dahir Rayale Kahin’s monthly income is estimated at $50,000 in tax payer’s money.