Federal government said keen to develop groundwater resource in Somali region

12/28/09
    

Deputy Prime Minister, Addisu Legesse reaffirmed federal government’s commitment toward developing the immense groundwater resource located in Somali regional state.

Addisu said the federal government will be providing the necessary support toward the successful completion of the project since the on-going project aims at improving the livelihood of the pastoralist communities living in the region.

The deputy prime minister made the statement while visiting the on-going drainage development project launched in Shinele Zone of the regional government.

He said eight water wells sunk in two localities of the zone over the last one year have shown that the groundwater resource located in the area will enable pastoralists carry out irrigation development projects besides curbing shortage of clean water service in the region.

Chief of the Somali State Administration, Daud Mehamed said encouraging results have been witnessed in the state in encouraging pastoralists carry out agricultural development activities through utilization of groundwater.

He said the federal government in collaboration with the Oromia state administration has been undertaking drainage development project in the area in a bid to develop 1.2 million hectares of fertile land in the region through irrigation.

He said 50 pastoralist households will begin developing 100 hectares of land through utilization of four water wells sunk in the area after a month.

The visiting high-level delegation, which is led by the deputy prime minister, reportedly held fruitful discussions with local elders as to how to foster overall development among the pastoralist communities.

ENA