In brief
- Somaliland Sun published an opinion piece on 3 September 2015 alleging President Silanyo is circumventing the legislature to transfer Berbera Oil Terminal management.
- BOT General Manager Suleiman Ali said suppliers pay no tax and local fuel station owners bear tariffs, passing costs to consumers.
- The article provides no evidence that the transfer was completed or that the legislature's blocking resolution exists independently.
Somaliland Sun reported on 3 September 2015 that the Berbera Oil Terminal (BOT) lacks transparency and good management, according to an opinion piece by Ali Mohamed Lewis of Center, Ohio, published under the headline "Somaliland: The Berbera Oil Terminal Lacks Transparency, Good Management."
Lewis wrote that President Ahmed Mohamed Silanyo is "circumventing the legislature in order to complete the transfer of management of the Berbera Oil Terminal(BOT), and the distribution of petroleum products" to unnamed "cronies." He reported that the Somaliland legislature "has already passed a resolution blocking that transfer." However, Lewis cited no document, resolution number, or official record for this alleged resolution.
The columnist also relayed statements he attributed to Suleiman Ali, the General Manager of BOT. According to Lewis, Ali said that "the suppliers of Petroleum products do not pay any tax to Somaliland treasury," and that "local fuel station owners pay the tariffs on petroleum products, which transfer the cost to the consumers." These statements, as presented, are direct quotes from Ali via Lewis, and no independent confirmation is provided.
Lewis also referenced BOT's website, saying it lists seven companies supplying petroleum products: "Hass, Red-Sea, Waraabe, and others." The website page is not dated or directly quoted in the article, and the remaining four suppliers are not identified.
The piece further claims that Silanyo promised an "accountable and transparent" administration during the 2010 presidential campaign, a claim Lewis uses to frame his criticism. He also alleges the existence of "ghost companies" and a kickback scheme, but provides no documentation or names, attributing the kickback claim vaguely to "many ordinary people."
No evidence in the report establishes that the transfer of BOT management was completed or that any specific company received the transfer. The alleged legislative resolution remains uncorroborated by any official record. The tax and tariff statements are presented as the BOT General Manager's words via the columnist, not as independently verified facts.
Frequently asked questions
Who raised concerns about the Berbera Oil Terminal in 2015?
Ali Mohamed Lewis, in an opinion piece for Somaliland Sun published on 3 September 2015.
Did the Somaliland legislature pass a resolution blocking the BOT management transfer?
According to Ali Mohamed Lewis, yes, but no document or official record confirms this.
Do petroleum suppliers to BOT pay taxes?
BOT General Manager Suleiman Ali, as quoted by Lewis, said suppliers pay no tax; local fuel station owners pay tariffs, which transfer costs to consumers. This has not been independently verified.