GAROWE, Somalia — Puntland’s acting president and Vice President, Ilyas Osman Lugatoor, has inaugurated the first phase of a major drainage project designed to improve rainwater management and reduce flooding in the regional capital, Garowe.
Known as the Nagaad Project, the initiative is described by Puntland authorities as one of the largest urban drainage projects implemented in Somalia. It is being carried out through cooperation between the Garowe municipal administration and the World Bank, with construction undertaken by TTN and UNOPS contributing to the project’s assessment.
The inauguration was attended by the World Bank’s senior representative for Somalia, Hideki Matsunaga, Puntland cabinet ministers, members of the regional parliament, officials from Nugaal Region and Garowe district, project managers and engineers, as well as traditional elders, business representatives and members of the local community.
Lugatoor highlighted the project’s importance to Garowe’s urban infrastructure, saying the Puntland administration is committed to developing a cleaner and better-managed city.
He said the drainage system would help channel rainwater through designated routes, reducing problems caused by runoff and improving the city’s drainage infrastructure.
The project is expected to contribute to efforts to manage seasonal rainfall, improve urban infrastructure and reduce the impact of flooding on residents and public facilities.
The initiative also reflects broader efforts by Puntland and development partners to strengthen climate-resilient infrastructure in Garowe, where heavy seasonal rainfall can place pressure on roads, drainage networks and other urban services.
