jubilation across puntland

Since the breaking of headlines related to oil discovery at the Shabeel-1 well the past two days, word has spread quickly to communities throughout Puntland’s northern region of Bari and its sub-division of Karkaar.

In cities like Bosaso and Qardho, as well as smaller communities in Rako Raaho, Ufeyn, and Bandar Beyla situated in and around the Dharoor valley, celebrations have been kicking off. Locals reported to our correspondents in Somalia that car horns, and even occasional celebratory gunfire could be heard along the main streets of many towns and cities.

The breakout of celebration is due to a recent confirmation by Shabeel-1 well workers of a discovery of hydrocarbons at shallow levels in the drilling process. Even as far as the United States, families with ties to the Bari-Karkaar communities have been receiving phone calls from abroad confirming the day’s events.

An announcement from Puntland president Abdirahman Mohamed Mahamud is expected in the coming days, upon return from a diplomatic-related visit to the UAE.