By: Yusuf M Hasan
HARGEISA (Somalilandsun) – The mayor of Hargeisa has refuted claims that he frequently acquired sold public land.
The denial by the city mayor Eng. Hussein Mahmoud Jiir was made during a briefing to the standing committee of the Guurti-the upper house of Somaliland's parliament.
Mayor Jiir who was appearing in front of the house for the first time after several failed attempts in the past informed that the buildings in Sheikh Nuur estate of Ga'an Libah district of Hargeisa, he is purported to have sold are still public property.
As per his activities in the 10 years he has been mayor, Eng. Jiir said that he has managed to increase the municipality revenue, from a meagre 7 billion to 20 billion Somaliland shillings. One US dollar is equivalent to 6,500 SL shs.
The mayor said that he has automated municipality offices as compared to the one computer that catered for all municipality needs. He also informed that various staff trainings have improved skills thus better service provision by all cadres of employees.
"The municipality assumed the responsibility of paying training fees for its employees some of whom graduated at local universities"
The mayor said that water supply to residents of the city remains one of the biggest hurdles the municipality needs to pass. He revealed that only 30% of city residents have piped water which they avail every other day.
"The other 70% are supplied by water bowsers and donkey cart at an exorbitant price"
He told the Guurti elders that plans to increase regular supply of safe drinking water are at an advanced stage, following the recent increase of 14 boreholes.
Mayor Jiir further revealed that a number of laws governing city management are yet to be approved though they have been submitted to relevant authorities.
Though this is the first time for the Hargeisa mayor to present his report to the Elders, Briefings to the Guurti by public officials are regular annual undertakings.
The missing component in the mayor's report was recent hawker evictions that have resulted in the city acquiring a proper cosmopolitan look despite destroying sources of livelihoods for small market entrepreneurs.
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