The Jubbaland regional state of Somalia has commissioned a 38km road construction in the port city of Kismayu, the first since the 1970s, when the country enjoyed a semblance of peace and tranquillity.
Jubbaland state president Ahmed Mohamed Islam has launched the construction of the project dubbed Somali Urban Resilience Project on Wednesday last week saying it would improve roads infrastructural development in Kismayu city.
The president said it was only possible to launch such a project following the ousting of Al Shabaab terror group, which has seen the port city attract investors from local and Somalia diaspora community.
Kenya Army led the liberation of Kismayu port on September 28, 2012 following an attack by sea, air and ground forces in what was called Operation Sledge Hammer.
He said the increase of both heavy commercial vehicles serving the port and commuter cars need proper road network to make Kismayu an attractive economic hub.
According to president Ahmed Mohamed Islam, the project will be in phases and will be executed in one year. The construction of first 8km of project has already begun.
Chonging Overseas Construction Corporation, a Chinese company, will implement the project that the president said is expected to transform the coastal city of Kismayu.
“I urge you [residents] to give this project the necessary support it deserves and ensure the construction is successful and achieved without any interruption,” President Ahmed Mohamed Islam said.
He said Jubbaland state administration was committed to rolling out several infrastructural development projects but warned construction companies and state departments against shoddy work.
The Jubbaland state president was accompanied the state ministers and officials of the construction company.
