Somalia: Range Resources donation to Garowe airport politicized 14 May 14, 2007 - 8:57:05 PM
GAROWE, Somalia May 14 (Garowe Online) - An Australian exploration company has donated funds towards the construction of a regional airport in the Puntand capital Garowe, officials and elders said.
A ceremony marking the event was held in Garowe on Monday and attracted Puntland administration officials as well as local elders.
Speaking at the ceremony, Puntland Finance Minister Mohamed “Gaagaab” Ali said that Australia-based Range Resources, Ltd., had donated $US150,000 towards the Garowe airport construction project.
Minister Gaagaab, who officially transferred $US140,000 over to local clan elders, said the remaining $US10,000 was spent as fees for money wiring companies, noting that the money traveled a long distance.
Islaan Isse Islaan Mohamed, a traditional chief in Garowe, welcomed the donation as a “positive step forward” for Puntland’s administrative capital.
Despite being the capital of Puntland since 1998, Garowe has lacked a properly equipped airport. The airport construction project has dragged over the years due to financial shortcomings and lack of support, especially from the Puntland government, observers said.
Range Resources signed a controversial agreement in 2005 with Puntland to explore the region’s rumored natural resources. Attempts by the junior explorer to conduct research in remote areas of Puntland were indefinitely halted after armed villagers battled security forces in early 2006.
This is not the first time Range has donated to the airport project in continuing efforts to polish its public image and to gain local support.
In a report released to the Australian Stock Exchange in January, Range claimed to have donated $US313,000 to the Puntland administration to help finance the Garowe airport construction project.
But that report stirred local controversy in Puntland because officials there only transferred $US95,000 over to the airport construction committee in September 2006. [READ: Range’s report to the ASX raises questions]
Timing
Well-informed sources in Garowe have suggested that the timing of Monday’s transfer of donation funds to the airport project could not have been better.
The Puntland administration has faced growing inside pressure from the region’s lawmakers and some traditional elders who have publicly criticized administration policies.
The timing of the transfer could be a useful political tool to garner public support that has been dwindling in recent months, the source suggested.
On May 1, a parliament leader issued a document calling for administration officials to return and work in the capital, instead of spending most of their time in the northern port of Bossaso. [READ: Regional parliament says admin must operate in Puntland capital]
Since then, top officials such as the vice president and leading Cabinet ministers have returned to Garowe.
That same parliament leader, First Deputy Speaker Salaad Ali Hared, joined voices with traditional elder Islaan Isse Islaan Mohamed when both officials criticized the Puntland administration over nepotism and financial mismanagement.
Deputy Speaker Hared and Islaan Isse made the comments last week while addressing attendees in Burtinle town at a ceremony marking a peacemaking deal between two warring area sub-clans. [READ: Parliament, clan elders critical of Puntland administration]
Also on Monday, the Puntland government handed over to local elders a donation in the sum of $US40,000, which officials said will be used to complete the peace process between the rival sub-clans.
Observers say administration leaders are using the donation funds to lure public support and to help build Range's image in Puntland.
Meanwhile, civil servants and members of the Puntland security forces have complained about the nonpayment of salary for months.
Source: Garowe Online
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