In brief
- On 10 December 2023, Mustaqbal Media reported MP Abdirahman Mohamed Hussein Odowa of Somalia's 11th Parliament said he would spend one month of his $5,000 salary on Hobyo Port construction.
- No construction company, contractor, consultant, funder, contract value, budget or construction start is named in the report.
- The report does not establish whether the salary pledge was paid or whether construction has begun since 10 December 2023.
On 10 December 2023, Mustaqbal Media reported that MP Abdirahman Mohamed Hussein Odowa of the People's Assembly of the 11th Parliament of the Federal Republic of Somalia said he will spend one month of his salary of $5,000 for the construction of Hobyo Port, in Mudug Region, and urged others to contribute generously.
What was reported
Mustaqbal Media reported that the MP called for immediate action on the construction of Hobyo Port, and that he said there is a need to find a famous company with a management or a recognized office that anyone can trust with the money they want to participate in the construction of the port. The same report said he promised he will add $5,000 of his monthly salary to Hobyo Port construction to speed up its construction and begin the work it is expected to do.
Quoted by Mustaqbal Media, MP Odowa said: "The people of Galmudug can build a port, an example is the port of Garagad which was built by the people. If we are sincere we can build, the port of Hobyo can be built. We need company to trust money, a company with an honorable management. The minimum wage is $1,000, I will pay my one month salary of $5,000." The $1,000 minimum wage and the statement that the people of Galmudug built the port of Garagad are his claims, not facts established elsewhere in the report.
Mustaqbal Media reported that Galmudug is focusing on the rebuilding of Hobyo Port, and that Galmudug President Ahmed Abdi Kariye Qor-Qor called on anyone who can contribute not to hold their hands back so that the construction of the port can begin.
What the report does not establish
The report names no construction company, contractor, consultant or funder for Hobyo Port. It gives no contract value, no project budget, no funding amount and no completion date or timeline. It does not show that any money, including the MP's pledged $5,000, was paid or received. It does not show that construction has started. The word "rebuilding" implies the port existed before, but the report gives no details.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly did MP Abdirahman Odowa pledge for Hobyo Port?
Mustaqbal Media reported on 10 December 2023 that he said he will spend one month of his salary of $5,000 for the construction of Hobyo Port and promised he will add $5,000 of his monthly salary to the construction to speed it up.
Is there any evidence that the pledge was fulfilled or that construction has started?
No. The report documents no payment or transfer of the $5,000 and no construction start, and it does not establish what has happened since 10 December 2023 regarding the pledge or the port.
What is the current status of Hobyo Port reconstruction efforts?
As reported on 10 December 2023, Mustaqbal Media said Galmudug is focusing on the rebuilding of Hobyo Port, with President Ahmed Abdi Kariye Qor-Qor calling on contributors not to hold back so that construction can begin. No company, funder, contract value, budget or start date is named in the report.