(MENAFN- SomTribune)
According to a Press Release which the international ports management firm, DP World, made public on Thursday, Shafa Al Nahda Contracting, a long-time, trusted partner of the DP World won the bid for 400-meter construction of a quay to expand services and boost capacity of Berbera port.
Although the agreement to expand the port was signed two years ago, the ground-breaking ceremony to do so was only marked and signed on Wednesday and Thursday of last week, respectively, in Berbera and Hargeisa.
Neither Somaliland nor DP World, however, released a detailed plan for beginning or completion of other components of the 442-million-Dollar agreement, such as the corridor road linking the Red Sea port to the Ethiopia-Somaliland border town of Wajaale.
Below is the DP World Press Release.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 11 October 2018: Construction work on the
development of the multi-purpose Berbera port in the Republic of Somaliland has
started with a special ground-breaking ceremony to mark the occasion. H.E. President of the Republic of Somaliland, Muse Bihi Abdi and DP World Group
Chairman and CEO Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem launched the first phase of work and
thanked attending government officials and partners for their support at the start of
a new era of growth for the country.
The first phase will consist of building a 400-metre quay and 250,000 square metre yard extension as well as the development of a free zone to create a new regional trading hub. DP World Berbera, the joint venture company, will also serve land locked countries in the Horn of Africa such as Ethiopia which has a 19% stake in the project as a shareholder.
Long term DP World partner Shafa Al Nahda Contracting have been awarded the construction contract for the port expansion. Shafa Al Nahda have been involved in the Port of Dakar expansion in Senegal as well the Port of Maputo expansion project in Mozambique. DP World Group Chairman & CEO Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, said: 'This
event is a landmark in the history of Somaliland and for DP World. We are delighted
that construction work has begun and over the next few years we will see a
transformation in the capacity of this major infrastructure asset that will benefit
people both here and across the Horn of Africa, providing an alternative gateway to
international markets and providing jobs to the people of Somaliland.
'This is all part of our vision to act as an enabler of trade and to encourage growth
by helping African countries develop their economies with access to global markets.
Investment in this natural deep-water port and free zone will act as a catalyst for the
growth of the country and the region's economy and create jobs at many levels.
Alongside physical assets we are investing in the development of the people who
work here through training and skills development across our network. I'd like to
thank the Government and the people of Somaliland for inviting us to be a long-term
partner in the future of their nation.' President of Somaliland Muse Bihi Abdi, said: 'Today is a historic day as we mark another major milestone in the development of our economy and by investing in our infrastructure we will be able to grow for the benefit of our people, the region and beyond. Connecting to landlocked countries such as Ethiopia and the rest of the region will reinforce the firm relationships that now exist and make Somaliland an important player in regional economic integration and growth. The importance of the Port of Berbera as a Red Sea gateway for the Middle East and Africa can now be realised, unlocking our potential as a trade hub and creating jobs across the country."
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