KEY HIGHLIGHTS
Somalia Federal Government has awarded a Turkish firm a contract to run and upgrade the Mogadishu port.
The Turkish construction firm, Albayrak Group and the Somali government signed an agreement to upgrade and run the operations of the port for a period of 20 years.
The Albayrak Group Company will be charged in bringing in new technology to modernize the cargo hub to meet the international standards.
PUBLIC CONCERNS
Somali labourers at the port have raised concerns about handing the port to a Turkish company insisting their jobs will be hurled by Turks.
They lamented that the there might be lack of opportunities as it is likely many jobs will be handled by the Turks.
The Port of Mogadishu has been one of the only employers for many Somalis for decades.
Members of the Somali Federal Parliament have also raised questions over this long-term deal and how it was processed.
Earlier this year, Federal government’s donor backed committee was accused of awarding government contracts to foreign firms.
The contracts ranging from port and airport operations to fishing right raising frustrations at the handling of public funds.
The move prompted creation of a committee to analyze the deals. The committee unearthed those major contracts signed by the Somali’s government in the last two years were not tendered competitively and recommended they be scrapped or renegotiated.
Atleast there is some government activity in Somalia. Progress can be seen. Amisom is doing a great job there