Somaliland President Inaugurates SOMGAS Terminal at Berbera Port

On 25 March 2017, Somaliland Sun reported that President Ahmed Mohamed Silanyo inaugurated the Somgas storage terminal at Berbera. The report, bylined M.A. EGGE, gives no details on capacity, cost, contractor, funder or current operational status.

The publication stated the terminal is “believed to be the largest in the Horn region for the liquefied gas”, but did not cite a source for that belief. It also said the President officially launched the use of three newly constructed major tarmac roads in the port city, without naming them or giving their lengths, costs or contractors.

President Silanyo said SOMGAS had built itself slowly for the past nine years on the project. He also said he had signed a decree on 10 January 2016 banning the cutting down of live trees for charcoal under Environmental and Wildlife Law No 69/2015.

Somgas honoured the President by awarding him their charter. Keys to a gas-run vehicle were handed to the environmental minister, courtesy of Somgas.

The President also made an inspection tour of the Port of Berbera and the Berbera Petroleum storage laboratory. The report claimed the laboratory has achieved ISO status, but provided no certificate number, scope or certifying body.

The President was accompanied by the First Lady and the Ministers for the Presidency, Information, Finance, and Environment. He was expected to spend the night in Berbera and then travel to Burao and Saraar to inspect ongoing oil exploration works.