Hon. Hussein Abdi Dualeh , Somaliland Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources was among the participants of one day Public Awareness & Community Engagement workshop organized by the Ministry of Energy and Minerals Resources held in Ainabo town Saraar region in prelude to Genel oil exploration activities which are expected to start soon.
The Minister of energy speaking during the opening of the one day Public Awareness & Community Engagement workshop said, “The aim of this workshop is meant to contribute to community and public awareness of the oil industry development in Saraar region and the roles and responsibilities of the local Government, National Government, Oil companies and communities in relation to oil projects in promoting integrated development in the country by increasing community access to credible and trusted information.
“The Somaliland government through the Ministry of Energy and Minerals Resources will create a sustainable extractives sector which stimulates equitable wealth and job creation, moves the country towards middle-income status, and delivers to the large majority of Somalilanders significant economic, health and social benefits now and in the future”, He said.
He further said, “Before we get anything out of the ground in Somaliland, we shall emulate the successes of countries that managed their resources well and avoid the mistakes that others have made in exploiting their resources. We want to chart the path of prudent management of our natural resources to bring about a positive impact on the lives of our people and our economy.
“I urge our Somaliland citizens to support this Ministry and the government in its efforts to develop our natural resources that God endowed us with for the common good. We urge our citizens to be patient in realizing our dream as a nation to become a country that benefits economically from its natural resources and not one that keeps it in the ground while we starve on top of it or squanders it when it gets exploited, Energy Minister.
“The proposed oil exploration activates shall commence here in Saraar region and then shall proceed to Togdheer, Daadmadheedh and Hawd regions”, Hon. Hussein Abdi Dualeh said.
Local leaders in Saraar led by Mr. Jama Ibrahim Mohamed, the deputy governor of Saraar region welcomed the new initiative.
