Introduction
A visit was conducted to the construction site of Hargeisa's first liquid waste management plant. Present were officials including the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Abdilahi Geeljire, and the General Manager of the Hargeisa Water Agency, Mohamed Ali Darood. The visit aimed to assess the progress of the project and discuss its environmental significance and operational aspects.
Remarks by General Manager Mohamed Ali Darood
General Manager Mohamed Ali Darood welcomed the Minister and provided an update on the project's status and background.
He began by stating, “I would like to welcome the Minister of Environment and Climate Change to this site where the construction of Hargiesa’s first liquid waste management plant. The construction of this site is being carried out by Hargeisa Water Agency and once its finished, the plant will be transferred to Hargeisa Local Municipality. The construction of this plant is part of the Water Supply and Basic Sanitation project in which the German government is funding.”
Mr. Darood elaborated on the challenges faced, noting, “Honorable Minister, Geeljire, the only challenge that we faced during this project was that the company that we competitively awarded the contract was not able to fulfill the contract as agreed upon with the Hargeisa Water Agency and thus we were obliged to terminate their contract. In particular the cancellation of the contract for the Chinese company caused us dearly since they wasted a lot of time due to their drastic failure.”He highlighted the progress made since the Hargeisa Water Agency took over construction: “The Hargeisa Water Agency employees who are working on this site started their work in March, 2025 and as you can see, Honorable Minister, the liquid plant is now taking shape. The skilled engineers of the agency and the advanced technology owned by the agency that you see here today have just recently completed the biggest dam in Somaliland, Kalqoray. I would like to personally thank them for this wonderful job they are doing here and they have already done at Kalqoray Dam.”
Mr. Darood reaffirmed the agency's commitment: “Honorable Minister, as the Hargeisa Water Agency, we are committed to successfully completing this project and transferring it to Hargeisa Local Municipality, with which we have a good working relationship. In general, the Hargeisa Water Agency gives close attention to all the projects under its care for the Republic of Somaliland to be carried out smoothly and with excellent results. The Hargeisa Water Expansion project at the core of the projects that we intend to deliver with excellency. Starting June, 2025, all the in-city infrastructure as part of the project will be completed. And we expect this liquid waste management plant to be completed before October, 2025.”
He expressed appreciation for the collaboration with the Ministry: “We also welcome the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change and the specific department responsible for the environment that are working with us closely on this project. We are thankful that the President of the Republic of Somaliland has picked you for this position. Someone with your expertise and care for the environment is a pleasure to work with.”
Finally, Mr. Darood assured, “Finally, we can assure you that the mistake made by the previous companies tasked to build this plant will not be repeated by the Hargeisa Water Agency.”
Remarks by Minister Abdilahi Geeljire
Minister Abdilahi Geeljire then addressed the importance of the project and the Ministry's role.
He stated the purpose of his visit: “We are here today on an official visit and a commitment to attend every development project regardless of who is implementing it. It is in our core responsibilities to assess the environmental impact of every project in Somaliland. Some might be wondering why the Hargeisa Water Agency is here today on a project that concerns waste management; because the waste management facility that is under construction here today is a component of Hargeisa’s Water Expansion project. As the General Manager stated, when the Hargeisa Water Agency gave the contract to companies, they failed to implement the project and thus the government was assured that the Hargeisa Water Agency has the capabilities to complete the project. The Hargeisa Water Agency is well equipped to implement the project in the short time that is left. Additionally, the stakeholders for this project are the Hargeisa Water Agency, Hargeisa Local Municipality as the Ministry of Environment and climate change acting as supervisor to ensure that environmental protection practices are conducted.”
The Minister emphasized the broader significance of waste management for Hargeisa: “Hargeisa, the capital of the Republic of Somaliland, has grown significantly. It is now time for its residents to enjoy the benefits of a modern city, one that effectively manages its waste. We are still burning the solid waste that the city produces, polluting the air and harshly harming the soil. And our liquid waste follows like a river and again presents a harsh environmental challenge contaminating both the underground water and the soil. It is now the time we put our efforts together, the central government, local government and the general public. It is now that we must manage our waste because our dignity as a society is on the line. And let’s be honest, there is a tradeoff in every transaction, even medicine that cures the person has side-effects. There are always byproducts of every project and criticism is open, but we have a responsibility to prevent diseases that can come from lack of proper waste management. As a state that is seeking re-recognition, and desperate to present themselves on the global stage, we cannot do that when our liquid waste follows like a river around us. We have to take advantage of our development projects like this and make our capital city more presentable.”
Addressing environmental oversight, Minister Geeljire confirmed, “We emphasize strongly that the company that took this project has done an environmental survey to assess the impact the project will have on the environment and we have the report. We will also, as the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, make our own environmental report and we will give that report to the president. If there is anything that needs to be improved, it will be done. We are responsible for the public and protection of their health. Corners will not be cut, the environment is the environment and its protection is paramount.”
