A three angled Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between the South West State of Somalia, Djibouti and a Chinese company that will see the construction of Merca seaport.
Construction work on the new port is to start this year.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by South West State President Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden, Djibouti Damerjog Industrial Development and Chinese Silkroad International Industry Holding Co. Ltd.
Djibouti was represented by Dr. Aden Hassan Aden the Djiboutien Ambassador to Somalia and the President of the Djibouti Port Authority Abubakar Omar Hadi.
The MOU will also see the construction of infrastructure along Amsas, Qoryole and Afgoye.
“It’s a very important project and hopefully it will be implemented less then a year if all things go on as planned” Dr Aden said after the signing ceremony
“Djibouti is not only focusing the South West State but also as Djibouti government we are willing to contribute the rebuilding and peacemaking processes of Somalia in general. it’s the first kind of MOU but within the coming months, we are expecting to host more of Somali leaders in Djibouti to make such MOU’s so we can play a regional role in the developments of our sisterly country Somalia. President Guelle is fully committed to assisting Somalia” Ambassador Aden who facilitated the signing said.
Djibouti through its envoy Dr Aden has asserted that it will continue to support to rebuild Somalia who’s infrastructure had been destroyed following the long civil war that followed the fall of Siad Barre regime in 1991.
Merca is one of the Oldest ports in Somalia but has been in need of modernisation.
Construction of South West State Barawe Sea Port by a UAE company kicked off last month cution of a second South West State.
With the recent understanding between the Federal Government and Regional States, similar MOUs are expected to follow.
Last month Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed Farmaajo laid a foundation for the construction of Galmudug state’s Hobyo Sea Port construction by a Chinese company.
