By Tom Mwangi, Africa editor
Nairobi, Kenya – The government breakaway northern Somalia state of Somaliland has distanced itself from the responsibility of bridges that were damaged due to heavy rains, insisting that the bridges were constructed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) under an agreement with Somaliland.
The bridges were constructed by the UAE as part of a larger infrastructure development project dubbed the Berbera Corridor in the region.
However, the heavy rains have caused extensive damage to the bridges in the port city of Berbera, leading to concerns about the quality of the construction project.
In a press release issued on Friday, Somaliland’s Ministry of Transport and Road Development distanced the government from the scandal caused by the project, saying that the UAE directly entered into an agreement with the companies that implemented the project.
The government of Somaliland has stated that it is not responsible for the maintenance and repair of the bridges, and has called on the UAE to take responsibility for the damages. The UAE, on the other hand, has not yet commented on the matter.
This development has raised wider concerns about the quality of construction projects carried out by the UAE in other countries. The UAE has been involved in a number of construction projects in various parts of the world, and concerns have been raised in the past about the quality and safety of these projects.
The Somaliland government has expressed its concerns about the impact of the damaged bridges on the local community, as the bridges served as important transportation links in the region. The government has also called on international aid agencies to assist in repairing the damaged bridges.
The Berbera Corridor project, is a major infrastructure initiative funded by the United Arab Emirates. The project is a vital initiative for the region, connecting the port of Berbera to Ethiopia’s border.
The project aims to boost economic growth and development by improving transport links between the two countries. However, the severe damage to the bridges has raised questions about the quality of construction and the safety of the project.
The Berbera Corridor project is one of the largest infrastructure projects in the region and is expected to have a significant impact on the economy of both Somaliland and Ethiopia. The project was implemented by a consortium of companies, including the UAE’s DP World, which operates the Berbera port.
Meanwhile, the damage to the bridges deals a setback for the project, but the Somaliland government has called for all stakeholders to work together to address the issue and ensure that the project is completed on time and to the highest standards of quality and safety.
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