by Abdirisak Itaqile
Somalilandsun -Somaliland’s Ministry of Water Resources has launched a new water supply project in Hadaftimo town in Sanaag region. Hadaftimo Water Supply development project is another output of Water Resources Development project funded by Somaliland Development Fund (SDF). Hadaftimo water supply project is part of the government’s drives funded by SDF to bring services to the people of the country and will see a new borehole being drilled and the establishment of water pipeline system in the town.
Hadaftimo water supply Development project launching ceremony which was held in Hadaftimo on Saturday, May 24 2015, was attended by Water Resources Ministry officials, Somaliland Development Fund (SDF) officials, the governor of Badhan region, mayor of Badhan district traditional leaders, businessmen, women and youth and community intellectuals.
The Director of Planning Department at the Ministry of Water Resources Mr. Saeed Du’ale Mohamed who spoke at the ceremony has stated that Hadaftimo became the first town to receive such significant water supply project in Sanag region.
“Hadaftimo project became the first SDF funded project launched in in Sanag region. Hadaftimo water supply project is development water supply system” Duale said
Duale went on to say: “I am really delighted to witness the launch of much awaited life supporting project. I would like to urge Hadaaftimo community to support implementation of this beneficial project that will increase access to adequate safe clean water that is also affordable and cheap.
Mr. Mohamed Farah, project manager of SDF/MoWR water resources development project who also spoke at the ceremony detailed Hadaftimo water supply project activities.
“”The project seeks to improve access to portable water to about 4,200 inhabitants of Hadaaftimo through borehole drilling, construction of water supply system & establishing a sustainable management committee in Hadaaftimo. The project we are launching today is a part of National Development Plan (NDP) and president Silanyo’s government strategy towards the eastern regions of the country” Mohamed Farah said.
Mohamed Farah also pointed out that this project is the first of a four different water supply development projects to be launched in Sanaag region.
“We are implementing four different water supply development projects in four different districts in Sanag region. The four districts include El Afweyn, Hadaftimo and Fiqi Fuliye district and Kulal village . Hadaftimo water supply development project will include a new borehole drilling and and the establishment of water pipeline system in the town” Mohamed Farah explained.
Suldan Saeed Suldan Abdisalam, the grand sultan of Warsangeli who spoke at the ceremony expressed his happiness at the efforts of Water Resources Ministry and Somaliland Development Fund (SDF) for supplying Hadaftimo residents with clean water. Suldan Saeed Suldan Abdisalam also thanked President Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud (Silanyo) for fulfilling his development pledges in the region.
” I cannot express in words how happy I am. I am grateful for Ministry of Water Resources and Somaliland Development Fund (SDF) for their support and we are always thankful for our president Silanyo for his development projects,” Suldan Saed said.
Finally, the governor of Badhan region Mr. Abdihakim Wahabi who spoke at the ceremony stressed the efforts of president Silanyo led government towards the implementation of community development projects in the region.
Speaking at the ceremony, Badhan district Governor Wahabi thanked President Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud “Silanyo” for his continued efforts to initiate developments projects in the country.
Hadaftimo water supply development project is the first of it’s kind to be implemented in Hadaftimo district.
Several community members including elders, religious clerics, women and youths who spoke at the launching ceremony thanked Ministry of Water Resources, SDF secretariat and donor countries ; UK, Denmark and Norway for their tangible support for Somaliland people. in their speech they emphasized their happiness towards the implementation of this beneficial project.
Hadaaftimo town lies 90km east of Erigavo, Sanaag region. Its amongst the oldest towns in Sanaag region and base of traditional sultanate of Warsangeli clan. It has a long history of water scarcity, several trials to find ground water failed until 2008 when a successful borehole has been found. The area is a semi-arid land where annual rainfall is about 200 to 300mm with the experience of frequent droughts.
Average households consume one barrel (200 litres) of water in five days, thus an estimated 90% of Hadaaftimo households are using small berkads in front of their houses for roof water harvesting. However, these roof catchments do not provide enough water as the frequency and reliability of rain is very short and limited.
Hadaaftimo community and government of Somalland are expecting the project will result provision of safe drinking water to the people and water resources should used and managed in a progressively affordable, accountable, financially and environmentally sustainable manner.
Somaliland Development Fund (SDF) has allocated some funding for the MoWR for conducting a water study in Hadaftimo,drilling of a new borehole, design of a small town water distribution system inside Hadaaftimo from the new borehole. Besides, the project will establish a water management structure as per the Water Act, 2011 and build its capacity for management of the newly established water infrastructure to to enable effective sustainable water management.
The project is funded by the Somaliland Development Fund (SDF) and is implemented by the Ministry of water Resources (MoWR).
About SDF
SDF is a 4 – year fund designed to support the Government of Somaliland (GoSL) filling a critical gap supporting projects that are fully aligned to the National Development Plan (NDP). SDF is currently funded by the Department for International Development (DFID), the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA),the Governments of Norway and the Netherlands. The current contribution by the three donor countries currently stands at USD 60 Million. The MoWR is currently implementing a project worth 5.5 million in seven locations across Somaliland which includes, Barbera (Sahil), Las Anod (Sool), Hadaaftimo (Sanaag), Burao (Toghdeer), Gargooray (Awdal), El Afwein (Sanaag), Fiqifuliye (Sanaag) and Kulal (Sool).
Watch the launching ceremony
