The Puntland administration has officially denied reports that the Federal Government of Somalia is in control of the funds for the construction of the road connecting Xarfo district and Galkayo city.
Puntland’s Minister of Information, Mahmoud Aydiid Dirir, said there is no reason to accuse Puntland of obstructing the implementation of the project.
He underlined that the funds for the project have not yet been released by the African Development Bank (AfDB), which is set to invest $18 million in the project.
The minister added that the Federal Government’s Ministry of Public Works has officially informed Puntland that the African Development Bank has not yet approved the project’s funds.
However, Puntland President, Said Abdullahi Deni, officially laid the foundation stone for the construction of the Xarfo-Gaalkayo road on Wednesday, noting that this move is in response to a long-standing request from the people of Mudug region, who have been demanding the development of the region’s economic infrastructure.
The Puntland authorities also said that they are fully funding this project, without any direct support from international organizations.
