The Ministry of Minerals, Energy and Water has participated in a national water planning consultative meeting to address the country’s five-year water needs.
The meeting was attended by officials drawn from the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources of the Somali government, government agencies and the Kismayo district administration.
Jubbaland is one of the richest landscapes in Somalia and is home to the Juba River, whose flowing water remains highly untapped.
The Director of the water and energy forecasting department of the Somali government’s Ministry of Energy and Water Resources, Ahmed Mohamed Hassan said that the plan to address the country’s water needs began a year ago and expectations are high for the country.
“Today the level we are in is good and the hope is that the country will have enough water to provide to its citizens for the next five years”, Said Ahmed Hassan.
The Kismayo district commissioner Ibrahim Mohamed Yusuf (tima jilac) said the need for water services in all parts of Jubbaland state especially in Kismayo district is key and transformative and the water project is a step in the right direction.
“The water issue is critical in our region.this national water planning will benefit from natural water of the Juba River which flows constantly”, Said Ibrahim Yussuf.
The Minister for Minerals, Energy and Water in the Jubbaland State Abdirahman Mohamed Mohamud who officiated the meeting said the project is a source of great importance to the Ministry of Water and Irrigation both the national and state level.
“The water project is one of its kind in the horn of Africa nation which will provide a sustainable water solution for the whole of Jubbaland regional state and the country in general”, Said Abdirahman Mohamed.
BY OSMAN HUSSEIN ALI
