In brief
- The Somaliland Development Fund (SDF) announced the completion and commissioning of the Borama Water Expansion Project on 12 October 2023.
- The project connected three boreholes in Afraaga via 19 km of pipeline and added two 500,000-litre tanks, expanding water access for an additional 76,000 residents according to the SDF.
- No contractor, consultant, total cost, or independent verification of outputs was provided in the announcement.
On 12 October 2023, the Somaliland Development Fund (SDF) announced the completion and official commissioning of the Borama Water Expansion Project. The ceremony took place in Borama town the previous day, 11 October, and was officiated by Vice President Abdirahman Abdilahi Ismail (Saylici).
The announcement, published by Horn Diplomat and attributed to the SDF, states the project’s primary objective was to address water scarcity in Borama. Before the project, the existing water system supplied about 133,000 people while the city’s population was estimated at approximately 300,000, according to the SDF.
The project equipped and connected three boreholes in the Afraaga area through 19 km of pipeline to the existing water system, and constructed two 500,000-litre water tanks. It also built a water booster/pumping station, a guest house, and an office building. The SDF said an additional 76,000 Borama residents will now have access to clean water.
Vice President Saylici said SDF invested in and expanded Borama’s water supply system, connecting the west water aquifer to the city water distribution network. Minister of Planning Dr Ahmed Adan Buhane called SDF a strategic partner and a model for aid coordination. Minister of Water Resources Ali Hasan Mohamed praised SDF’s technical assistance and quality assurance and said the ministry will work with SHABA Water Utility for sustainable management.
The announcement does not state any project value, contract value, total cost, contractor, or consultant. No independent verification of the listed outputs or the beneficiary figure is provided beyond the SDF’s statement. The population and pre-project service figures are presented as estimates from the SDF. A photo caption says SHABA staff were recently trained in operating the pumping station.
The SDF was established in 2012 as a pooled fund for development partners; its second phase covers 2018-2024. It is funded by the UK, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Norway.
Frequently asked questions
What infrastructure was built under the Borama Water Expansion Project?
According to the SDF, three boreholes in Afraaga were equipped and connected via 19 km of pipeline, and two 500,000-litre water tanks, a booster/pumping station, a guest house, and an office building were constructed.
Who funded and implemented the project?
The SDF funded the project; the Ministry of Water Resource Development implemented it with SDF support. No contractor was named.
When was the project commissioned?
The commissioning ceremony took place on 11 October 2023 in Borama, attended by the Vice President and other officials.