Somalia: Puntland VP convenes parliament

GAROWE, Somalia Oct 25, 2014 (Garowe Online)-The Vice President of Somalia’s Puntland Government Abdihakin Abdullahi Haji Omar Amey has convened the 34th parliamentary session of the state’s 66-seat-chamber in the state capital of Garowe, with Parliament speaker Saed Hassan Shire and International Community representatives present on Saturday, Garowe Online reports. 

Speaking in the parliament Amey said, his government secured victory against Al Qaeda linked Al Shabaab militants ,and made major milestone during a three-day intense talks with Somalia Federal Government.

On the prevailing economic crisis, Puntland Vice President admitted that the government was unable to pay civil servant salaries , underlining that they would be asking World Bank to help them recover from the fiscal deficit over the course of 2015-budget estimation. 

“We are now preparing 2015 budget of the government.We hope that World Bank will help [Puntland Government] pay civil servant salaries and this would be a turning point in achieving balanced budget and addressing the priorities on the table,” added Amey. 

Meanwhile, Puntland Parliament speaker Shire unveiled that during the 34th session they will be debating 2014 budget review, and security. 

Sources within the parliament tell GO that the controversial media bill that was passed by former Council of Ministers and more recently by Puntland parliament will be high on agendas. 

Media Association of Puntland (MAP) called the media bill ‘draconian’ and urged President Abdiweli Mohamed Ali not to sign it  into law.

GAROWEONLINE