In brief
- Somaliland Sun reported on 31 May 2014 that UK-based Sanaag diaspora pledged to support construction of the Burao-Erigavo road.
- Erigavo Mayor Ismail Haji Nuur said construction had started at four locations but sufficient funds were not yet available.
- The report provides no contract value, contractor, timeline, or verification of work after that date.
On 31 May 2014, Somaliland Sun reported that residents of Sanaag region living in the diaspora pledged to help construct the Burao-Erigavo road. The report by Latifa Yusuf Masai, datelined London, said the pledge followed a meeting between the Mayor of Erigavo, Councillor Ismail Haji Nuur, and UK-based citizens originating from Sanaag at Oxford House.
According to the Somaliland Sun article, the road connects Erigavo town to the rest of the country via Burao. However, the report gives two different lengths: 370 km in one passage and 375 km in another. The same article states that the pledge was made by named diaspora individuals including Farah Elmi Ali, Hussein Hasan Muse, Nassir Abdi Haruun, Mustafa Salah H Hasan, Anwar Adan Mohamed and Ahmed Saeed Ahmed 'Magalo', among others.
Mayor Ismail Haji Nuur, quoted by Somaliland Sun on 31 May 2014, said construction had started at four locations: Afmadobe in Toghdeer region and Erigavo, El'afweine and Gara'adag in Sanaag region. He thanked President Silanyo for initiating the project, but said sufficient funds were yet to be availed. The Mayor also described the project as the most ambitious Somaliland had embarked on since reclaiming independence 23 years earlier and appealed for donations towards road construction.
Mohamed Ahmed Liban, a member of the Burao-Erigavo roads construction funds collection committee established by President Silanyo, briefed the meeting on technical details of road construction status, according to the report. The article does not reproduce those details.
The Somaliland Sun report does not establish what has happened on the Burao-Erigavo road since 31 May 2014. It records a pledge and a claimed start of works, but provides no contract value, project cost, budget figure, contractor, consultant, funder or completion date. No amount, mechanism, timeline or receipt of any diaspora donation is given. No government agency or independent source is cited to verify the works after that date.
Frequently asked questions
Who made the pledge and for what specific road?
UK-based residents of Sanaag region pledged to support construction of the Burao-Erigavo road, according to Somaliland Sun on 31 May 2014.
What is the amount or nature of support?
The report does not state a pledged amount, donation mechanism or timeline. It records only a stated intention to help construct the road.
Are there any agreements or timelines in place?
No agreements, contract values or completion dates are given. The report quotes the Mayor saying construction had started at four locations, but sufficient funds were not yet available.