On May 29, 2025, a significant step forward was celebrated in the ongoing Hargeisa Water Expansion project with the inauguration of its fourth borehole. The Vice President of the Republic of Somaliland graced the unveiling ceremony, highlighting the government's commitment to enhancing the city's vital water infrastructure. This newly operational borehole represents a crucial milestone in the second phase of the expansion initiative, leaving only two more boreholes to be completed out of the anticipated six.
Abdalle Sacad, the esteemed engineer from the Hargeisa Water Agency, provided detailed insights into the borehole's impressive specifications and rapid development. The borehole reaches a depth of 212 meters, with the presence of water identified at a mere 22 meters below the surface. Demonstrating remarkable productivity, this borehole is capable of yielding 70 cubic meters of water every hour, translating to an impressive 5500 liters of water. The swift completion of this high-performing borehole in just 22 days underscores the efficiency and dedication of the teams involved.
The inauguration ceremony served as an opportunity to acknowledge the progress achieved within a short period under the new administration. The General Manager of the Hargeisa Water Agency expressed immense pleasure in welcoming the Vice President to the grand opening, noting that this marked the fourth borehole completed within the government's initial six months in power. The Vice President's journey to the Darasalam district, traversing challenging terrain, demonstrated the high priority placed on assessing the progress of this critical infrastructure project for the Republic and its capital city, Hargeisa.
Further updates were provided on the parallel efforts focused on upgrading water infrastructure within Hargeisa itself. The General Manager informed the Vice President that significant advancements had been made on reservoir development, with the project nearing completion. Preparations for comprehensive testing of the expanded water system for the city are in their final stages, with expectations for testing to commence by June 30th and conclude by early July.
Clarifying the scope of the Hargeisa Water Expansion project, the General Manager, Mohamed Ali Darod, explained its two-pronged approach: increasing water production capacity through the drilling of new boreholes and enhancing water infrastructure facilities within the city. With the successful drilling of these boreholes, the focus is now shifting towards the critical final step of connecting them to the Gedeeble pump station, from where the water will be pumped to Hargeisa. The Hargeisa Water Agency is actively formulating a detailed plan for this crucial connection, which will be presented to the President and Vice President for their review and approval. The completion of this second phase of the Hargeisa Water Expansion project, encompassing the operational boreholes and their connection to Gedeeble, promises to significantly improve access to clean drinking water for a greater number of households in Somaliland's capital city.
The General Manager also highlighted the remarkable return on investment from the agency's own deep drilling rig, capable of reaching depths of 600 meters. This vital asset, unveiled by the former President Muse Bihi Abdi on October 6, 2024, has already proven to be a strategic and financially sound acquisition. Considering the amount of boreholes the rig has drilled between October 2024 and May 2025, it's safe to say that the investment has been returned. The continued smooth operation of the Hargeisa Water Agency's work, despite the transition in national leadership, stands as a testament to its robust governance and borehole-functioning institutional framework.
Furthermore, positive collaborations with the local community in Darasalam and area farm owners were acknowledged, emphasizing their cooperative role in facilitating the agency's mission to implement the nation's water policies effectively. The General Manager also conveyed that the broader public overwhelmingly supports the efforts to enhance water delivery to the capital. This public confidence is further evidenced by the generous financial support provided by a local businessman towards the construction of the largest dam in Somaliland, which is slated for inauguration by the President. This collective support underscores the shared commitment to strengthening Hargeisa's water security for the benefit of all its residents.