In brief
- On 28 February 2020, Somaliland Standard reported a groundbreaking ceremony for a new 32 km highway linking Las Anod and Kalabaydh in Sool region.
- The ceremony was presided over by the Minister of Transport and Road Development, Hon Abdillahi Abokor Osman, on a Tuesday.
- The report does not establish that construction has started, nor does it provide project value, contractor, funder, or timeline.
On 28 February 2020, Somaliland Standard reported that a groundbreaking ceremony was held for a new 32 km highway linking the towns of Las Anod and Kalabaydh in Sool region.
The ceremony was presided over by the Minister of Transport and Road Development, Hon Abdillahi Abokor Osman, on a Tuesday, according to the report. The minister laid the foundation stone for the project.
The road is intended to connect Kalabaydh and Las Anod district, and is 32 km long, according to a local traditional leader, Garaad Jama Garaad Ismail Duale, who spoke at the ceremony.
The Mayor of Las Anod said at the ceremony that road construction work had not yet started, and expressed hope that the minister would return to cut the ribbon upon completion.
The Las Anod Municipal council committed its financial contributions and equipment to building the road, according to the council. The governor of Sool region thanked local elders and the community for efforts and contributions towards the new roads.
The managing director of the Somaliland Road Development Agency pledged that the government will play a major role in the construction of the road between Las Anod and Kalabaydh. The roads agency managing director also said the community and the local people made the initiative to build the road, and that the agency was ready to support them.
The Minister of Transport said the Ministry of Transport and Somaliland Roads Development Agency works in accordance with a set yearly plan, with most planning and research done at the end of the year. The minister said the Las Anod–Kalabaydh road was included in the 2020 ministerial plan. The minister also said the ministry and roads agency were ready to assist the community with know-how and funds.
Local residents pledged to work hand in hand with the government in building the road, according to Somaliland Standard.
In the future, the road is intended to be a broader link between the Sool region of Somaliland and the Dollo region of eastern Ethiopia, the report said.
The report does not state the project value, contract value, contractor, consultant, funder, or completion timeline. It does not provide evidence that funds have been disbursed or that construction has started.
Frequently asked questions
Who is building the Las Anod-Kalabaydh highway?
The report does not name a contractor. It states that the community initiated the project, and that the government will play a major role, but no specific contractor is identified.
What is the timeline for completion of the highway?
No completion date or timeline is provided in the report.
What will be the highway's impact on connectivity?
The report states that in the future, the road is intended to be a broader link between the Sool region of Somaliland and the Dollo region of eastern Ethiopia.