Ethiopia and Somaliland Seek EU Funds For Berbera Corridor

[Jacaylbaro]

ADDIS ABABA — The government of Ethiopia and Somaliland are trying to solicit fund from the European Union (EU) for the construction of the road that connects Ethiopia with Berbera, the Somaliland port.

 

Samson Wondimu, corporate communications head with the Ethiopian Roads Authority, told The Reporter that the Ethiopian and Somaliland governments were trying to secure the funds from the EU that would be used to rehabilitate the 245 km long Togochale (boarder town)-Berbera road. Some 50 kms from the Ethiopian border, the road is rough and the asphalt road begins near the capital city, Hargeissa and goes up to Berbera.

 

Officials of the EU were not immediately available for comment. A diplomat at the Somaliland’s Consulate in Addis Ababa told The Reporter that there are still ongoing negotiations between Somaliland, Ethiopia and the EU over the rehabilitation of the Berbera corridor. “Things are progressing,” the diplomat said.

 

The ageing asphalt road from Hargeissa to the port is in a very poor condition and it needs urgent rehabilitation. Berbera is an alternative gateway to Ethiopia. Mostly food aid is imported via Berbera to Ethiopia. But the Ethiopian government plans to import parts of the country’s import via Berbera. The port also needs to be developed and it needs a substantial amount of investment.

 

With the view of using the Berbera Port, the Ethiopian government is developing the infrastructure along the Berbera corridor. Samson said the government is finalizing work on the Jijiga-Togochale 67 km. road construction project launched three years ago. The contractor, a local construction firm, Akir Construction, is expected to finalize the work after two months.

 

Samson said Somaliland has good diplomatic and trade relations with Ethiopia adding that the new road will enhance bilateral trade between the two Countries.

 

 

 

By Kaleyesus Bekele

 

Source The Ethiopian Reporter

[Jacaylbaro]

The Somaliland government plans to privatize the port and currently is holding discussions with Chinese firms. The Somaliland Foreign Minister, Dr Mohamed Abdullahi Omar is currently in Beijing, China, for the last four days. Barrier his visit to China, he was in the Ethiopian capital where he held talks with Ethiopian officials over the port and other key areas including security. Both governments are pushing for foreign firm to invest in the port. According to sources close to the government a number of firms expressed interest including the Hong Kong based, Hutchison Port Holdings (HPH), France’s Bolloré Africa Logistics and Holland-based, APM Terminals.

 

The first phase of the project, already approved by the EU, will be to conduct a study on how to develop the Berbera Corridor, a 850 km road. According to the foreign minister, Berbera Corridor will be connected to the North-South Corridor (Cairo-Gaborone highway).

 

The second phase will be finding a reliable contractor for the job and investors. At the moment, its at the second phase and both Ethiopia and Somaliland have been in talks with a Chinese firm in Addis Ababa that is already constructing roads and highways in Ethiopia.

 

The Chinese seem to be more proactive than the Western firms. The current trip by the foreign minister to Beijing will be the fourth such talks between Somaliland and Chinese investors in the last year alone.

 

The President, Mr Ahmed Mohamed Silanyo might also fly to Beijing according to sources close to the government.

 

The current talks are four-way discussion between Somaliland-Ethiopia and EU, Somaliland-Ethiopia and China.

 

Berbera port sits on a strategic location along the red sea and plans to become a major port in the region for Somaliland, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Somalia.

 

The current government has an aggressive foreign policy and foreign investment. It plans to rehabilitate roads between Berbera and Togwachale, Berbera and Hargeisa airports and the port it self to improve its network and connection with neighboring countries. So far it has secured $10 million to rehabilitate the airports from the Kuwaiti government.

 

 

Somalilandpress

[Ibtisam]

The Road From Haregisa to Berbera needs work urgently, the amount of accidents and deaths on that road. So many holes on the road, wadaha aya ku garirir you because of all the holes- you can forget speaking on your phone, mato dan eeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrr aaad ledhey!

[Jacaylbaro]

That is part of the project now ................... in due time, that road will be like wooooooow

[Archdemos]

Quick question JB. why are the newly built roads in SL sub standard. I mean their hardly asphalt grade. They seem to have loose grounded rocks on them. It will do for now but its hardly a modern road. Plus whats happening with the Dahabshill building in the centre of town. Is it still in scaffolding.

[Jacaylbaro]

Roads are too costly and only one KM can cost up to 200,000 US Dollars ... so u can imagine 150kms or even more ,,,,, It is one of the first things waiting for the recognition.

 

The Dahabshiil building is huge ,, and still under construction ...................

[Xaaji Xunjuf]

Good news so that's why the foreign Minister is in china.

[London2010]

Why don't they develop capital from tax revenue. Growing their gdp so that the private internal market can take up the work.

The EU should say no. If you won't help yourself, don't come begging to us.

[Thankful]

London2010;700389 wrote:

Why don't they develop capital from tax revenue. Growing their gdp so that the private internal market can take up the work.

The EU should say no. If you won't help yourself, don't come begging to us.

I agree, our NW Somalia brothers for some reason think the EU is their to help them! That they are "allies"!

[Jacaylbaro]

London2010;700389 wrote:

Why don't they develop capital from tax revenue. Growing their gdp so that the private internal market can take up the work.

The EU should say no. If you won't help yourself, don't come begging to us.

That is a process already undergoing ,,, but will take time before it is fully in place. This project is only for one road at the Berbera corridor

[PasserBy]

I have been saying it for a long time in this forum. Ethiopia's VIABLE alternative port to Djibouti is Berbera. The rehabilitaion of the road from Hargiesa to Berbera should have been carried out long time ago. I guess better late than never. It is also wise of Somaliland to seek China's help in upgrading its port. Djibouti's leasing of the port management to Dubai company has created a lot of tension between Ethiopia and Djibouti.

[N.O.R.F]

Got some pics of the Berbera - Hargaisa road. Was supposed to write a report on it. Thanks for the reminder JB

[Jacaylbaro]

This road we're talking about is not only between Hargeisa & Berbera ....... It connects Berbera to Togwajaale. at the border with Ethiopia.