In brief
- On 2016-03-14, Somaliland Sun reported that Telesom Chairman Abdikarim M. Iid said the company intends to build what he called the largest gas terminal in the Horn of Africa in Berbera.
- The report provides no contract value, start date, capacity, contractor, or any evidence that construction has begun or that the terminal would actually be the largest.
- No subsequent development has been verified; the source remains the only public record of the announcement.
On 14 March 2016, Somaliland Sun reported that Telesom shareholders and management met at Guleid hotel in Hargeisa for their annual meeting. During that meeting, according to the publication, Telesom Chairman Abdikarim M. Iid announced that the company intends to build what he called the largest gas terminal in the Horn of Africa in Berbera.
The chairman said the proposed terminal would "add more energy needed in Somaliland and neighbor countries." No project value, contract value, contractor, consultant, capacity, land allocation or start date for the terminal was included in the report.
The same Somaliland Sun report states that Telesom operates several businesses, including telecommunications, Darasalam bank, Somgas and electricity utility TEC. Head of Telesom Isse M. Farah said through the publication that the company operates 349 offices throughout the country.
Head of TEC Eng. Muse C. Egeh said via the same report that TEC is the first company to offer 24-hour electricity in Somaliland and plans to sell low-cost electricity to customers. Those claims are attributed to the executives and have not been independently verified.
The Somaliland Sun report does not establish that any construction has started, that a contract was signed, or that funds have been allocated. The report is dated 14 March 2016, and no subsequent public evidence of progress on the Berbera gas terminal has been identified. The claim that the terminal would be the largest in the Horn of Africa rests solely on the chairman's statement.
Frequently asked questions
Where would the gas terminal be built?
Telesom Chairman Abdikarim M. Iid said the terminal would be built in Berbera, according to Somaliland Sun.
What is the capacity of the proposed terminal?
The Somaliland Sun report does not state a capacity.
Who is financing the terminal?
No financing details were provided in the 2016 report.