Appraising the past and present in Somali-land since independence.
We were hearing last few days discussions about road terrific bill purposed by the government on the subject of a tax increase of certain services in Somali-land, which is overwhelming passed by the House of Representatives in an effort of generating extra revenue to finance the expected upgrading our medical care, social programs, continuity of vital public services programmes, Infrastructure like roads and expansion of existing Infrastructure that would enhance economic boost, promote employment opportunities to our unemployed youth to overcome the human terrific and ensure rising the other essential public domains.
Every of us aware the reality that the richest countries in western world such as USA, EU and Japan depends on their continuous development on gradual tax increase, let alone a poor country like Somaliland us, which is unrecognized with no foreign aid and a limited resources. The budget of the former government leading by president Riyaale, which was eight years in offer was US $ 47 million and following three years in office, the current government has managed lifting up our national budget from 47 million to 126 million, which is equivalent to 270 % enlargement and this achievement is secured as result of solid vision, efficient effort, and factual sincerity.
Considering the said progress, our house of representatives has recently passed the bill put forwarded by the government, as they preferred the shared common interest rather the short-sighted political interest campaigned by some personalities.Despite the fact that government has doubled folded the number of government personnel three years in office, yet, our unemployment rate still very high and hence we have no other option either than accepting the recommendation suggested by the government regarding the minor the minor tax increase.
Consequently, from where can get the necessary resources for development had we not generate extra revenue to translate into reality the proposed community development schemes mainly road projects. Plenty of road projects are either under-going or laid down its foundation stone by the government officials that requires additional finance. From where we can obtain the necessary resources of these projects, since we depends only ourselves on our key development projects.
In the view of our limited resources, collectively, we need making sacrifice to reach our deducted goals necessary for public developments. Earlier than this administration, we have certainly not heard or noticed the word ROAD either from the former governments or from the public, whereas at the present time the word ROAD is practically witnessed or observed every second day if not every day, since the current administration has come to office.
The difference between successful person and the others is not lack of knowledge, not lack of strength, but rather the lack of will, which was totally absent prior to this administration. The principle will which absent earlier has been adapted b the current government and that has produced fruitful beneficial results.
With the regards the new ministry to handle the management of the road projects, in commonsense, it does not matter, which ministry to hold the threshold of the road management issue, but actually what matters is the need of most trusted and suitable to administer to administer these projects, Which a vast majority of somalilaners considers Hersi Haji as the most appropriate personality in view of his efforts and contributions experienced in the past.
Few years ago, it was a dream constructing and travelling with new asphalt made road was a distant dream, but that dream has been translated into reality, since this government has come to office in 2010. Few benefits of the asphalt road are the following. Reduction of petrol and diesel consumption, which contributes cost reduction. Minimising vehicles and cars maintenances. Improve safety standards as a result of reducing accidents. Improving visibility, which is also another benefit of minimising accidents. Improving and up-grading the living conditions on villages and the townships, which these roads pass through.
Somali-land area covers 637,657 kilometers consist of plateaus, plans and highland and almost 70 % of these land falls from Hargeisa and towards east. As noticed through the media, the people from the eastern regions of Somali-land have supported the traffic bill put forward by the government and passed by the House of Representatives, as they are prime beneficiary for the revenue to be generated.
Therefore, it is misfortune that some personalities read these successive achievements as contrary. When someone points a finger at someone else, he should remember that four of his fingers are pointing at himself. I am aware dozens of other achievements attained by this government; nevertheless, few samples taken from these achievements are detailed below.
Our national budget has increased almost three times in contrast with the former administration (US $ 47 million to US $ 126 million). One Hundred Forty five (145) schools, primary schools were built during the existence of the current government in various regions and districts of the country. Hundred (100) secondary schools were carried out for maintenance services. A policy of free education was introduced, which almost doubled the number of students in Somali-land schools. This is considered a direct investment for the society.
A novel policy of higher education grant system was introduced at university level for the students, who scores top grades in the secondary schools. This policy has generated an inter competition between the secondary students in an effort to win and benefit for the free higher education scheme put forward by the government. The government has employed 3000 teachers in various regions and districts in the country.
The old bank notes left from the previous regime of Siyad Bare have been replaced with new national currency, which is also in reality a direct investment of the society. The government workforce has been increased by 100 %, from 6,000 to 12,000.The number of water wells ahead of the current government was 96. This government has successfully dug out new water wells numbered a total of 43 wells. This is almost equivalent 50 % of the existed wells during the entire years of Somali-land independence.
A considerable number of dams were built in various regions. A total of 343 roads were constructed in various regions of Somali-land. National TV and Radio station equipped with modern technology televised and transmittable in most foreign countries and at home have been established and installed, which are really signs of national identity. The ranks of Somali-land various forces have implemented, the military, the police, the navy guards, the jail polices and immigration directorate after 22 years of independence.
The last batch was covered 10,000 men and women. among the officials, which captured our hearts and minds is MAJOR HIBO, as this is a rare occurrence, which we have certainly not experienced in the past. Somali-land which was almost politically isolated from the international community presently treated as respected partner and considered as a potential associate for all issues related to international world affairs.
Participating February 2012 London conference attended by almost 60 countries was historic triumph. In that conference, the international community had recognized our government as a legitimate representative of Somali-land. The government has actively participated financially and morally for most of the developments initiated by the public privately. Among the roads under-going, which the government has actively participated and partly financed are Hargeisa and Salaxley, which has already made a significant progress. The road stretching from Burao – Odweyne, Odweyne –Hargeisa, several other roads in Awadal region and possibly many more, which I may not conscious of at present.
The wages of government employees has been increased by 100 %. This good gesture has been benefited by tens of thousands of families. The government has distributed agricultural tractors and other equipments to the poor farmers, which is considered as a direct investment to our national economy. The current government has up-graded Berbera port facilitates in which no substantial improvement has been made in the past. Modern machinery has been added to the facility by the current government in order facilitating our growing economy.
Regarding the democratization process, this government has conducted open and fair elections, which facilitated to all citizens an opportunity contesting in a fair manner election. This strengths public trust cherishing political participation. This election process was resulted two parties, Kulmiya and Ucid to remain and Wadani to emerge as a new party.The old party Udub, which holding power since 1993 was not take part for the election process due their political internal difference. After the election has successfully rolled up, the same has received a warm welcome and track recording success. The government has introduced effective taxation system and proper customs control, which enabled the government achieving their yearly planned budgets.
Constructing (12) twelve buildings for various government ministries were completed. Since the current government has come in office, the airport facilitates for all existing airports in Somali-land have been up-graded to international standards mainly Hargisa and Berbera.Hargeisa airport equipped with modern airport facilities with an extended airstrip, new airport security equipments, modern terminal with VIP lounge, airport support service, modern terrific control, safety management, modern navigation aids and modern cargo and freight services recently reopened by the president on August 17, 2013, and the new airport facility have influenced international flights from the region such as the Ethiopian airlines operating with the latest Boeing 737 body (800) and other international flights from middle east. African airline is operating with DC 9, which is one of the s of big passenger aircrafts Juba Airways and Daallo are operating with Boeing 737 aircrafts.
Burao airstrip presently is under construction. Preliminary survey has been carried out to Boram airport in order building a new airport. This government has come with a combined effective strategy based on solid vision and mission, inspiration, ambition, fairness, decisive, teamwork, transparency, openness, focusing on general rather than specific, will and effective Communication and the combination of these principles paved them make possible all these successive achievements.
In the event anyone would like conducting a fair and neutral evaluation, he should compare apple with apple. Above, I have listed tens of achievements gained by this government; however, if anyone disagrees with the evidence detailed above, let him list down the achievements accomplished by the former Somali-land administrations.
With regards the lobbying by the government to obtain the road bill before the parliament was voted for the road bill, I am not aware if that is the case, however, if that is true, this is normal practice from the civilized western democratic world.
The last example is that, President Barak Obama has lobbied from both houses of congress to obtain military intervention to Syria before voting and therefore, the issue of lobbying in our parliament a minor tax increase to generate extra revenue is negligible matter if that was true.
In reality, I do not retain any information on any major progress to remember in Somali-land earlier than the current government. Considering the degree of the progress reached by this government three years in office, it is no reservation that, the remaining period on their first term in office promising dozens of additional progress and developments. This article is free from extraction and untruthful reporting.
Ismail Lugweeyne. Rabassoro55@hotmailo.co.uk