Federal Republic of Somalia

Ministry of Public Works, Reconstruction & Housing

Jowhar Trip Report

 

March 2018

Overview 

As a part of enhancing implementation structure, coordination and partnership with the Government, Somali  Strengthening Public Works Intuitions Project funded by the African Development Bank had facilitated the trip of the Federal Minister of Public Works and Reconstruction (His Excellency Sadiq) and a team of consisted by the Technical Advisor, Project Director and Head of M&E from the Federal Ministry of Public Works to Jowhar- The Capital City of Hirshabeele State from 11^th to 13^th March 2018. The purpose of the trip was for to handover a video conference equipment and conduct capacity need assessment and also strength the relationship between the federal ministry of public works and ministry of public works of Hirshabeele state.

During his stay in Jowhar the minister H.E Engr. Saadiq also met the Hirshabele President while he receives the state house, the minister also has visited the government buildings inside the Jowhar and Shabelle river canals.

Upon his way back to Mogadishu the minister together with the minister of public works of hirshabelle state and the ministry team has assessed both the airport and the road connects to Jowhar.

1. Arrival and Reception in Jowhar Town

The team led by H.E Minister Saadiq and technical advisor, project director and head of M&E had travelled to Jowhar on 11^th March 2018 where they were welcomed by the minister of public works of Hirshabele State Government officials. The SSIWPP made all the necessary arrangement for the Minister’s and team travel to Jowhar Town as well as the team’s accommodation. The Minister’s arrival with his team was covered by the media. The Hirshabele Government provided the requisite security for the team during the duration of the trip. Thereafter the Minister had a briefing meeting with the president of hirshabeele state Government at the state house.

After the meeting with the president the minister H.E Engr Saadiq and the minister of Hirshabeele briefed the media about the mission and schedule.

The Minister of H.E Eng Saadiq Briefed the Media upon his arrival at jowhar at the state house

2. First Day of the Trip (12-03-2018)

The second day of the visit the ministry of public works of hirshabeele state together with the team of federal ministry of public works organized a workshop of presenting the project it’s components, the hirshabeele state president was also attending the workshop.

The minister of Public Works of Hirshabele State has opened the workshop followed by a presentation of SSIWP Project presented by the Head of Monitoring & Evaluation.

H.E Engr. Saadiq delivered his speech at the end of the workshop while he mentioned how Hirshabeele will benefit this project, he indicated also the project provides capacity building to the ministry of public works of hirshabeele state and provides also office equipment and supplies and the project also targets 1100 Somali youth to be trained by a soft construction skill and it will be distributed to states.

Hirshabeele President concluded the workshop as he delivered his speech at the end of the workshop, the president thanked to the ministry of public works as general and specially to the minister H.E Engr Saadiq for his visit to the state and the support he is providing to the state ministry of public works.

Finally, the president also thanked to the federal government of Somalia as whole and the prime minister kheyre for his efforts to establish the tight relationship between the state and central government.

At the afternoon of the first day the minister of public works H.E Engr. Saadiq visited the newly rehabilitated cabinet buildings of hirshabeele state and the ex-Somali energy authority building in Jowhar, the minister of public works of hirshabele guided the tour as he indicated also the ministry got two offices in the new building and it needs to be equipped fully.

H.E Engr. Saadiq and Hirshabeele President participated the workshop at first day

Head of M&E presenting a presentation for the workshop at the first day mission

offices of Hirshabeele State Ministries in Jowhar rehabilitated by the UNDP

3. Second day of the trip (13-03-2018)

3.1 Jowhar Airport and Road connects to the city 

On his way back to Mogadishu the minister and hirshabeele president participated the assessment of current status of Jowhar airport and road connects to the city, the condition of the airport is very poor and has no boundary wall.

The airport road is highly affected and damaged and has not been constructed or rehabilitated for a long period of time both flooding and civil war made the road a very rough road which is very hard to use.

Only UNSOS Flight operated by Helicopter is the only flight which connects Jowhar to Mogadishu, since this only way out from Jowhar as the road connects to Mogadishu is at high risk security at nowadays.

Both airport and the road need to be fix out as soonest as possible, the minister and president agreed to look funds for the construction of the airport and road.

the road connects Jowhar Airport to the town

USOS Flieght Helicoptor lands at the airport in Jowhar.

3.2 Capacity Need Assessment  

At the afternoon of the second day the team from the federal ministry of public works conducted a capacity need assessment to the ministry of public works of hirshabeele state and handover ceremony of VTC equipment to the ministry.

Capacity need assessment workshop at suubiye Hotel at second day afternoon

4. Departure to Mogadishu

The minister appreciated to hirshabelle state government for their host and African Development Bank for the facilitation of this visit, The Minister departed back to Mogadishu on the 13^th March 2018.

5. Conclusion

The engagement between the Federal Ministry of Public Works and Hirshabeele State Ministry of Public works which have at times been pulling in differing directions will bring harmony and increase trust in their relationship. This will enable the two to overdue the past challenges and have a better working coordinated approach in discharging their mandates. The engagement promoted by the project of SSIWPP was also seen as important in improving the community’s perception on the legitimacy and capacity of the respective Governments to work for the good of the local community.