Somalia: Puntland puts new environmental policy on display

GAROWE, Somalia Oct 12,2014 (Garowe Online)-Puntland Government in northern Somalia for the first time put state’s environmental policy on display with the Federal Government Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed Mohamed present, Garowe Online reports.

During the launching ceremony at Puntland Development Research Center (PDRC) in the state capital of Garowe on Sunday, in attendance were also President Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, Vice President Abdihakim Abdullahi Haji Omar Amey, cabinet ministers, Federal and Puntland MPs and Civil Society activists.

Puntland’s Minister for Environment, Wildlife and Tourism Gulled Salah Barre noted in his opening remarks that the environmental policy went through various stages: “Environmental policy has been created in order to preserve both renewable and non-renewable natural resources which have been under degradation for the last 23 years”.

Barre added that he remains optimistic about the new policy, saying from now on it would protect ecological community from extinction.

Addressing event participants, President Ali has expressed dismay over deforestations and pledged that council of ministers will pass the environmental policy in advance of parliamentary approval.

Somalia Prime Minister Mohamed on his side hailed environmental policy of Puntland, underlining that Mogadishu-based central government will take advantage of the policy.

Mohamed said, the country needs resilient measures as recurrent droughts and lucrative trade of charcoal continue to pose humanitarian challenge.

As a result of devastating environmental degradations, the then Puntland President set up ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism in 2009. 

GAROWE ONLINE