Somaliland: Egal International Airport Meets Our Standards Say’s Kuwait Representative
Hargeisa, Sep 26, 2013 (SDN) – Somaliland Minister Civil Aviation and Air Transport Hon Mahmud Hashi Abdi has for the first time come out publicly to clear his name and reputation in connection with allegations of corruption and embezzlement of funds related to the newly renovated Egal International Airport, Hargeisa during the presentation of a report released by the Kuwait.
Dr. Nabeel Abdurrahman the engineer of representing the Kuwaiti consultant firm NARCO and ICT who in charge for the project work and also responsible to keep the contractor’s work in line with the contract guidelines and also to approve and supervise the work by certifying the Quality of work done was the first person who took the podium to explain to the public about the multi million project during the press briefing which lasted several hours.
“NARCO was involved with the project all the way since day one and gave details of the work the consultant’s work is much bigger than just checking the bill and supervise the project contractor but also to make sure all payments of all stages of the project were released subsequent to the financer (Kuwait Fund) after receiving the certification of their nominated third certifier”, stated the Kuwaiti consultant.
The Consultant started by saying “The Agreement made on the 3rd day of March 2012, between project implementation Unit, Ministry of Civil Aviation & Air Transportation, Republic of Somaliland, Hargeisa Airport, Hargeisa, Somaliland (hereinafter called the “Employer”) of the one part, and M/s China Hono Group of Chayang, China in association with M/s Somaliland Hono Group (hereinafter called the “contractor”) of the other part.
Whereas the Employer is desirous that certain works be executed, viz strengthening of Runway and Provision of Security Fencing at Hargeisa Airport, Hargeisa Somaliland as such works are more fully described in the documents incorporated by reference herein (said works hereinafter referred to as “the Works”).
Whereas the Employer has accepted a tender by Contractor of the execution, and completion of the works and the remedying of any defects therein, said tender being in the sum of us $ 4,436000.00 (Us Dollars four million four hundred thirty six thousand only).
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto have agreed as follows:
In this Agreement, and unless otherwise required by the context, words and expressions shall have the same meaning as are respectively assigned to them in the Conditions of Contract.
The following documents (hereafter referred to, together with this Agreement , as the “Contract Documents”) Shall be deemed to form and be read and construed as part of this Agreement, viz:
I. The letter of Acceptance dated February 18, 2012;
II. Bank Guarantee for the Advance payment (10%) of the contract amount which is Us $ 443,600);
III. Performance security (10% of the contract amount which is Us $ 443,600);
IV. Form of Tender and the Appendix to the Tender submitted by the contractor;
V. The conditions of contract ( part ii);
VI. The conditions of contract ( part i);
VII. The Technical Specifications;
VIII. The Drawings;
IX. The Bills of Quantities;
X. Other document (s), if any, forming part of the Contract {‘contractors’ letter dated 1st, March, 2012 stating the extension of Apron up to 200m x 50m= 10,000m}.
3. In case of conflict between any provision of this Agreement and a provision in any other document forming part of the contractor Documents, the provisions of this Agreement shall prevail. Subject to the foregoing, the contract Documents shall take precedence in the order in which they appear in the preceding clause 2 of this Agreement.
4. In consideration of the payments to be made by the Employer to the contractor as hereinafter mentioned, the contractor hereby covenants with the Employer to execute and complete the works and to remedy any defects therein in conformity in all aspects with the provisions of the contract.
5. The Employer hereby covenants to pay the contractor, in consideration of the execution and completion of the works and the remedying of any defects therein, the Contract price under the provisions of the contract at the times and in the manner prescribed the Contract.
Dr. Nabeel Abdurrahman said, “Anything short of the five points mentioned above meant stop the job and called for the reviewing the of the contract fortunately all went well although at times we had to stop the job because of conditions such as materials ,weather and the cleanness of the surface of the runway in fact this happened while the Head of State was visiting the airport on inspection tour ,he asked why was the work stalled and we told the conditions at the time didn’t weren’t suitable.
The Kuwaiti Engineer lastly said, Egal International Airport is a world class airport and i once again say it accommodate all kinds of aircraft he further said the Kuwait government had paid US 3.4 Million to date and that the last installment will be paid after a period of one year to the contractor.
Hon Mahmoud Hashi Abdi speaking during the occasion said, “My name has been dragged through mud and dirty for quite some time now by my brothers in the opposition who have accused me of corruption without doing their homework, I am a human being and man is to error but that does mean you have the right to accuse me of things which haven’t done.
I am not saying that I shouldn’t be criticized but aim of constructive criticism is to see a change or improvement for that matter but when someone criticizes another person but cannot identify what is actually wrong then that is unethical.
Minister Abdi said “As you heard from the Kuwaiti Consultant we had agreed to this term with Kuwait because we are committed to be transparent with all donor funds, rather than say gives us the money, we tell them help us build infrastructure”. When the project is completed Kuwaiti Fund will turn the complete project back to Somaliland government.
The Aviation Minister Mr. Mahmoud Hashi Abdi he government of Somaliland and the State of Kuwait had signed an agreement in which Kuwait will fund the renovation and rehabilitation of both Egal International Airport in Hargeisa and Berbera International Airports.
Kuwait government will fund this project approximately with ten million dollars, with the understanding that they will manage the allocation of the funds.
“The airport’s runway has undergone resurfacing and now extends 7,875 feet in length and has five wind turbines provide power and we also plan to add another 13 KM of runway in the future which will be funded by the government of Somaliland in the near future, “ stated the Aviation Minister.
Minister National Dr. Sacad Ali Shire speaking at the function, “Thanked the government for providing the funds used for the upgrading of both Egal and Berbera airports and he also lauded all those who took part in the construction for a job well done; He added that there is much difference to be seen today when with the airports in 2010.
By: Goth Mohamed Goth
Source: Somalilandpress.com