On September 4, the Inauguration of the Kalqoray Dam gathered a diverse set of people from all corners of the country. The attendees included The President of Somaliland, His Excellency Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Irro), members of his cabinet, business leaders, media representatives, representatives of other sectors and large crowds from the public which highlighted the dam’s significance for the country. The ceremony took place in a garden adjacent to the dam (a side project that was created for both recreational and ceremonial purposes during the dam's construction). This setting allowed the President and other key personnel to observe the Hargeisa Water Agency's (HWA) progress firsthand. In his speech H.E President Irro while lauding the impressive progress at the HWA, he stated that “not only is this the largest dam constructed in the country, but it’s testament to the power of self-reliance, and to the milestones we can reach when we are self-reliant”.
Speaking of self-reliance, it was particularly celebrated that the dam was funded primarily by the HWA itself, which provided $4.3 million of the $5 million total and the remainder came from significant donations by a generous local business leader who requested anonymity. General Manager Mohamed Ali Daarood complementing this sentiment said, “this project was testament to the country’s progress, neither were we reliant on foreign funders nor foreign technical assistance to put in place the dam.” General Manager Daarood, further speaking to the broader significance of the dam said, “This was a test for our intellectuals and experts, and they proved themselves capable by successfully completing the project.”
Although the primary purpose of the ceremony was to inaugurate the dam, other significant water infrastructure projects were also celebrated. These included features specific to the dam. General Manager Daarood spoke about the importance of these, explaining that they had installed infrastructure to release water when it becomes counterproductive, as well as infrastructure to prevent sand from entering the dam. He noted that both issues had been the failing points of earlier attempts to build dams in the country. This sentiment was later echoed by H.E. President Irro after he learned about the inner workings of the dam. Alongside the dam, the second phase of the Hargeisa Water Expansion is a distinct project now in its closing stages. Although not yet fully operational and therefore not inaugurated, several of its components were celebrated. These include six new boreholes. Five of these, including the final one which is nearly complete, were constructed in less than a year—a milestone never before seen in Somaliland. The infrastructure connecting them, known as the Wellfield Collector, stretches 20 km, a distance comparable to that between Hargeisa and Abaarso. Also celebrated were a new distribution network with various sub-components, new reservoirs, a 15-meter elevated water tank, and water kiosks.
Moreover, General Manager Daarood elaborated on the characteristics of the dam while the President and other key personnel observed them firsthand. He noted that the dam's volume has significantly increased during President Irro's short time in office. Initially holding 1.1 million cubic meters (roughly equivalent to 5.5 million barrels), its capacity was first enhanced to 1.4 million cubic meters and finally to 1.8 million cubic meters (equivalent to approximately 9 million barrels).
Various speakers highlighted the benefits this infrastructure project will bring. The Minister of Water, Abubakar Abdirihman Good, described the dam's potential for multi-faceted use, ranging from agriculture to drinking water. Furthermore, former government official and Hargeisa resident, Abdirahman Ismail Adaami, succinctly sum up the successful conclusion of Kalqoray Dam saying, “The HWA is credited with the initial idea for the dam. This idea led to a plan based on scientific rigor, which was then turned into action through determined effort. Today, we are reaping the fruits of that idea, planning, and execution.” Lastly, the Minister of Interior, Abdalle Mohamed Arab (Sandheere), underscored that this evident and monumental progress, with all its benefits, would not have been possible without the managerial skills of General Manager Daarood.
Alongside the praise for the HWA’s leaders, engineers, and staff, significant appreciation was also extended to the region and community hosting much of the infrastructure and machinery. The Minister of Civil Aviation and Airports Development, Fuad Ahmed Nuh, emphasized that the people in the region sacrificed their own properties for the greater good of Hargeisa. He lauded the generosity and humility of the local community, stating, "They are a model that should be emulated by the rest of Somaliland's regions."
In conclusion, speakers invariably emphasized the inspirational progress made at HWA, highlighting its tangible and potential benefits in agriculture, job creation, and other key areas. Minister Nuh summarized this progress, stating, “General Manager Daarood and his team have proven that governmental institutions can be sustainable and can undertake such high-end projects.” To put this in perspective, Somaliland’s foreign funders are now making significant investments in the Hargeisa water project after witnessing the success of the Kalqory Dam.
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