Tackling Development Issues in Somaliland

[N.O.R.F]

Tackling Development Issues in Somaliland

 

 

This book is about the work that needs to be done in order to achieve economic and social development in Somaliland. It consists of four chapters bearing the following titles: Economic Development Strategy, Social Development, the Development of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the Development of Mineral and Hydrocarbon Resources. In chapter one the author discusses the economic development strategy that he regards as most appropriate for the development needs of Somaliland. This strategy consists of two main components the first of which is the development of the country's mineral and hydrocarbon resources and using the financial resources derived from this endeavour for achieving the development of the other sectors of the economy while the second component is the adoption of the economic development model of the newly-industrialised East Asian countries, which has proved to be so successful. Chapter two deals with the ways in which social development can be brought about in Somaliland, i.e. the development of education and health, the elimination of poverty and the attunement of the country's political system to the culture of its society. The author discusses the education and health goals set up by the UN in the Millenium Development Goals and how these can be achieved in Somaliland in a decade or so. The author also explains the role of education, health and poverty elimination in creating human capital for development. Chapter three is concerned with the development of agriculture (including livestock) and the natural resources of the country such as the forests and woodlands, rangelands, soil, water and fisheries. It discusses how Somaliland can become self-sufficient in its food requirements provided an arable land of about 100 000 hectares with adequate underground water, soils suitable for agriculture and flat or gently-sloping topography can be found. The chapter also discusses the improvement of the country's livestock resources, the protection and development of its fisheries and the rehabilitation of its rangelands, forests and woodlands. In chapter four the author discusses the country's mineral and hydrocarbon resources. He lists the country's mineral deposits that include nearly 10 valuable minerals including gold and the ores of other metals. He also indicates the existence of a wide variety of gemstones. As for the hydrocarbon resources, the literature cited by the author confirms the existence in Somaliland of the geological strata that form the basis for the accumulation of oil and gas and that, therefore, it is only a matter of time and proper exploration before these resources can be discovered in the country. The book is not meant to provide final answers to the issues raised therein or to tell the government of Somaliland how to deal with these issues. Rather, it is intended for stirring debate and discussion among Somalilanders about the possible ways in which these issues can be tackled.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Tackling-Development-Issues-Somaliland-Irrobeh/dp/1845495233

 

For those interested in 'how'.

[nuune]

This book is about the work that needs to be done in order to achieve economic and social development in Somaliland. It consists of four chapters bearing the following titles: Economic Development Strategy, Social Development, the Development of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the Development of Mineral and Hydrocarbon Resources. In chapter one the author discusses the economic development strategy that he regards as most appropriate for the development needs of Somaliland. This strategy consists of two main components the first of which is the development of the country's mineral and hydrocarbon resources and using the financial resources derived from this endeavour for achieving the development of the other sectors of the economy while the second component is the adoption of the economic development model of the newly-industrialised East Asian countries, which has proved to be so successful. Chapter two deals with the ways in which social development can be brought about in Somaliland, i.e. the development of education and health, the elimination of poverty and the attunement of the country's political system to the culture of its society. The author discusses the education and health goals set up by the UN in the Millenium Development Goals and how these can be achieved in Somaliland in a decade or so. The author also explains the role of education, health and poverty elimination in creating human capital for development. Chapter three is concerned with the development of agriculture (including livestock) and the natural resources of the country such as the forests and woodlands, rangelands, soil, water and fisheries. It discusses how Somaliland can become self-sufficient in its food requirements provided an arable land of about 100 000 hectares with adequate underground water, soils suitable for agriculture and flat or gently-sloping topography can be found. The chapter also discusses the improvement of the country's livestock resources, the protection and development of its fisheries and the rehabilitation of its rangelands, forests and woodlands. In chapter four the author discusses the country's mineral and hydrocarbon resources. He lists the country's mineral deposits that include nearly 10 valuable minerals including gold and the ores of other metals. He also indicates the existence of a wide variety of gemstones. As for the hydrocarbon resources, the literature cited by the author confirms the existence in Somaliland of the geological strata that form the basis for the accumulation of oil and gas and that, therefore, it is only a matter of time and proper exploration before these resources can be discovered in the country. The book is not meant to provide final answers to the issues raised therein or to tell the government of Somaliland how to deal with these issues. Rather, it is intended for stirring debate and discussion among Somalilanders about the possible ways in which these issues can be tackled.

 

So many UN jargon words in there, I try to avoid words like UN Millenium Development Goals, they established this mllenium thing on 2000, and key targets were:

 

eradicating extreme poverty and hunger,

achieving universal primary education,

promoting gender equality and empowering women

reducing child mortality rates,

improving maternal health,

combating HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases,

ensuring environmental sustainability, and

developing a global partnership for development

 

 

 

So did the UN achieved the mentioned goals in its 12 years of existence, not a single goal was achieved, why, that is another debate, everyone knows what the UN stands for, and what it does!

 

We could do without them

[Abu-Salman]

^Their self-promotion depends on telling the obvious: you need healthier and litterate citizens first.

 

Korea and similar countries that progressed most rapidly were actually managed by engineers rather than economists and did exactely the opposite of what was told by such "experts" and their economics theories (eg don't think about steel mill if dirt poor, they ignored that and quickly became steel leader).

 

For sure, the book is interesting but minerals (gold mining is very toxic and destructive) and oil divert more from economic diversification and innovation (not to mention environmental sustainability) rather than help; having such large oil output litterally killed the non-oil sectors in the Arab world and still delay considerably real economic and technological progress (even Algeria with some fertile land and colonial farms managed to neglect its primary sector and spend on costly food imports).

Interestingly, Oman realised some noted progress in manufacturing, agriculture etc when its smaller oil output declined (having much less oil than Abu Dhabi and dwindling reserves were thus blessings).

The irony is that you can best manage oil when you are already at the highest economic stage, with an ethical system that has a long-term vision (eg Norway putting oil revenues into trust funds rather than spend it).