Africa » Somaliland
Concerns raised over skill shortages and limited national vision
October 27, 2011 · 32 Comments
HARGEISA (SomalilandPress)—President Ahmed Mohamud Siilaanyo today addressed ministers from his cabinet along with intellectual groups and donor country members. The meeting held at the Hotel Mansoor was regarding forward planning for the next five years.
In his address, President Siilaanyo thanked the audience for attending the meeting so that they can have firsthand knowledge of the country’s planned vision for the next five years. The President also thanked the Minister of Planning and Development Dr. Saad Ali Shire and his office for their effort in preparing the country in the next five years. Mr. Ahmed Siilaanyo outlined his government’s plan for the next five years by saying “if you do not have a planned vision, no one will be able to help you when you meet with donor partners”.
Speaking after the President was Dr. Saad Ali Shire Minister of Planning and Development who was able to enlighten the audience on the country’s planned vision for the next five years. Dr. Shire highlighted the importance of having a designed vision by saying “planning for the next five years will help the advancement of Somaliland and will give direction to the country”. The plans for next five years have been priorities and are expect to cost roughly 900 billion Somaliland shillings at which 79% is expect from donor countries and the rest from Somaliland government, businesses and Diaspora.
In ensuing discussions whilst there was considerable talk about projected revenue no mention was made of the issue of the thorny issue of tax evasion and avoidance, especially by businesses based or operating in Somaliland. A number of issues emerged that have yet to be addressed: poor urban planning and infrastructure, inadequate environmental safeguards, insufficient detail concerning how funding is going to be monitored and accounted for along with concern over educational quality and skill shortages. Whilst it was acknowledged that progress had been made a number of participants, particularly a number from donor countries expressed reservations about whether the current ministerial structures had the right calibre staff and leadership to oversee a comprehensive review and carry out the limited vision thus far shared.
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Tags: Ahmed Mohamud Siilaanyo, Minister of Planning and Development, Saad Ali Shire, tax avoidance
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IDEA: The government of Somaliland should outline a list of projects they require to be done along with their expected budgeted cost. Once all these projects have been identified, SL government should post these projects on a dictated site and start accepting proposal bids.
- All proposals should be reviewed by a committee of non-partisan experts and contracts should be awarded for the best and most cost effective ideas.
- Everyone should be allowed to participate – local grads, foreign donor countries and as well members of the diaspora.
This will 1) overcome the skill shortage and 2) ensure Somaliland gets the best possible help going forward
oops dedicated not DICTATED lool
Freudian slip, warya? Hmm..lol
I think 1 US$ = 5000 Somaliland Shilings if I'm not mistaken. That's means 900 billion Somaliland shilings = 180 million US$. That's very low for five years.
True, taxing the telecom companies alone can bring in that amount of money to the treasury. Shame on our government.
The cost of the five-year plan is estimated to be US $ 940 million. not as calculated by Hussein.
Looks like our government is resigned to the begging bowl instead of coming up with robust economic policies and development plans that would make sure our young country becomes self-reliant and also improves the lot for our people. But then what do you expect from ministries who were selected on the basis of their clans and not because of a talent for leadership. If the government is serious about improving our economy, they should first start with assessing its size and state of health. They should collect economic data like the amount of trade carries out annually by our businesses, total inward investment, etc and work out our GDP, its growth or decline, and other indicators. All the ministries should liaise with our universities to collect and work out such economic and other social data in order to formulate a proper vision and plan for our country.
Abraham and others,
There are two kinds of Somalilanders, those who make things happen and those who are only good to criticise them. Somaliland is open for all. You need not be a minister or even physically present in Somaliland to make a contribution. I will be the first to join you if you come up with concrete ideas. Just criticizing with two-word comments is not helpful at all, it will discourage those who are there to do something. Rome was not built in a day, come up with robust and alternative plans or keep your words where the belong.
ACW
Guys it is good to analysis and expose material ideas on national economics. It is very true that the government of Somali land did not succeed the collection of tax revenue for many reasons. Mainly, Somalilanders they care their own private economic not public economic, because every knows as before their tax will be going into the wrong hands, as they used to see so they never saw citizen government. To get back the confidence of the citizens, and to educate the public and make them aware to help the national government in order the government develop the country, is to go long way and can not come with emotions and comments. Let us join together and realize our goals through overcoming thousands of obstacles.
I think this new government has clear development vision for this country. $900 million USD is roughly close to a billion dollar, which is a huge amount of money if used correctly, we need minister who are genuine and will safe guard the public money. Look at finance minister, Mr Xaashi, he is been described as greedy because he doesn't give money to afmiishaaro. We need this kind of ministers.
..the actual calculation is 180 million US dollars…its not a lot for 5 years but for such a poor place it will do…180 million is a step up. But the biggest problem comes to how will the records be done of where the money goes, and how will they increase the income of the government by tackling tax evasion….the government have failed to even collect revenue from their own citizens, companies etc…would you trust them to manage multimillion dollar projects? either way we need to see numbers and real ideas….when it comes to somaliland infrusture projects always fail…… and some random person runs off with the money
You are wrong Mr. red Mussa, where did you get your US $ 180 million from? This is not what the government had announced , please check your facts before commenting. The current administration has gone to long distance in comparison to the previous 20 years in collecting revenue, my thanks go to the President and the finance minister. I am not playing guulwade here, because I hate to be one, but it is my duty as a citizen and human being to give credit to whoever it belongs to. The Somaliland 5-year plan is ambitious one, who knows this administration might surprise us by accomplishing more than it promises, because they did exactly that by increasing the public service salaries by !00% and making primary education free, when that was announced I thought it was a joke, but it wasn't. Yes, debates are OK but distorting facts and not giving credit when it is due is immoral.
the way fordward.Long over due.viva SOMALILAND
I dont get I get I thought budget this year was like 100 million wouldnt the plan budget be atleast 400 million for next five years.
somalilandpress can't hide the truth from abroad about this failing goverment anymore
$180,000,000 per year of the five years. Works out as $15,000,000 per month to be collected from an adult population of around 1,500,000 approximately. This gives a reasonable monthly collection of $10 to $15 per adult contributes.
Most of us do send to our families back home and I am sure we can come up with $10 – $15 to contribute per month to invest in the future of our families back home. Better standard of living for such a low monthly contribution is more then worth it.
Better still we can become members of our country by offering direct debit payments as well as updates on what our money has been invested in.
A small contribution that is possible and at the same time giving hope is worth it. We can elect the Minister of Finance as treasurer of Diaspora fund programme.
The truth is the Finance Minister Ina Xaashi is no good for this job. Despite being sick and old
he's is beyond reasonable doubts, cool blooded racist towards the Ministry's Staff and also has no
background degree knowledge of the World of Economics. He's an old Civil Engineer Scholar who
is not suitable for the heavy burdens of this highly regarded Ministry. The planning Ministry too might
have Staff problems/weaknesses underneath DR.Shire!. It's high time that both Ministries are put on
the focus radar of the Govt. to closely monitor and get their working systems straightened out.
Cheers.
We are not saying he should be president. We are saying he is trust worthy with money. He has done a lot for his country and we shouldn't treat our patriots so poorly. His age means he is experienced and if his knowledge disturbs you then please note that he can employees many a young Somalilanders and supervises them . Thus, any burden is delegated except for the trust to look after our funds.
I really think people don't help themselves when they dismiss others obvious talents and choose to use incorrect morale opinions on ones own right to his views. If he isn't happy with others it doesn't necessaryly mean he is racist. It could have many other reasons.
My advice to young people is respect the old generation and donot fall into the trap of them against us.
First of all we should not be negative all the time. Secondly, if someone is mishandling a national responsibility we must talk and criticise. I for one was shocked by the 180 million for five years. That is nothing and will make no significant change to our lives. I was also disappointed by the 76% donor resources which makes our nation lazy and non-productive. I believe, our country could do better but with the right people and right competence. Although I hate people when they put our people and racism into the same place and I strongly believe that we all "TOL" and "GACAL", yet I second Mr Cheers on the Finance Minister's short comings. He is no Keynesian Economist and as such will be of no help when it comes to development. Though he proves the simple fact that our economy can grow, then he fails to look beyond saving and fighting the widespread corruption. He cannot simply do more than that. We need a Golden Brown like minded economist who can increase national expenditure five folds and yet succeed in raising the funds from many directions. Come on they do not even collect any kind of economic data as such there are no indicators that can be used to analyse the situation and make better decisions in the future.
I was told Silaanyo is economist by profession but from what I see he has no clue on basic economics.
Silaanyo is the President and the Politician now not the Finance Minister of Economics. Yes he can
help but doesn't do the job of the Ministers.
Cheers.
Farhiya and others
Their is great miss information around this comments. First of all national development plant (NDP) 2012 -2016 is not 180 M but 927.272 000 $ that is about 180 yearly.
Secondly this minister is first Somaliland minster who came with NPD and Somaliland vision 2030. Both documents are in draft version and you can read and give some advice.
It is true that 79% of NDP budget is expecting from donors but other side our national revenue is 100% from domestic tax which is exception for African country.
At last let us be critic to our self they are expecting only 4 milion from Diaspora Contributio
http://slministryofplanning.org/images/nationl_pl…
Mr.Hashi (Finance minister) do everything you can to get Somaliland's companies to pay their fair share of taxes. The Somaliland people have always sacrificed for the nation, it is time for the communication, remittance, and other business to pay their taxes. They need to reinvest back into the country, better infrastructure, more employment, more customers for them. It is that simple.
Just an observation:
I found out that some of us can't add up! Please read the report, before commenting. It will safe you a lot of time and effort. Bring an alternative if you have one. Otherwise, say nothing and go by your business. This is a brotherly advice, I guess or is not?
I'm sure it is NOT $180 million in 5 yrs which is very low, but how did u calculate to get your $ 940 million. Because if 1 dollar equals 5,000 SL shilling then it gives 180 million dollars. Unless there was a mistake in the article itself
I was one of the participants, the budget is not as the reporter understood but its over 900 million USD and if we get this, its great development in the next five years and this plan in visioning the somaliland vision in 2030.
I thought so, I guess the reporter meant per year in the next 5yrs (over 180million approx per year in the next 5yrs). Anyways that is a good amount of money and it can do a lot if it is managed and utilized properly and carefully and hopefully the amount will double or increase for the years to follow. Having a planned vision is imperative and a must.
Good we are on the same page now. The forecasted budget is US $ 920 million, so let us move on.
The president must remember that he employed the chronically unemployed people from Europe and Canada, especially those from his tribe. He has been sleeping since he has been elected and therefore how he has come to know that there is shortage of skilled worker. Please continue your long term sleep and see you in heel.
Ali,
I do not belong to the President's tribe and I do not work or live in Somaliland. I think you are a very sick person may Allah have mercy on your sick soul. My advise to you is to come up with names of the unskilled and chronically unemployed you are talking about. No names means you are lying to your teeth.
First read Document Somaliland national development plant before u comment. In my opinion one of the best plant they publish
Folks, here is what the other topic talking about the same thing says: quote … many officials and International Agencies in preparations for long term vision extended to 2030 process of Reconstruction and Development Plan earmarked for Somaliland for the next five years at a estimation cost of $927.27 million … unquote
I think that the Administration is working and on the right track. God bless them and help us in our endeavour to make Somaliland successful. Ka naxow nafta waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!
ali waa nin uu xaqid iyo xaasidnimo googoosay. So, let us just say: min shar acmaalahum yiluuq! Just let bark as much as he wants.
i WAS BELIEVE THAT somalilandpress will keep it's track of impartiality, and pro ethical journalism but no i afraid that it become the Somaliland Government propaganda mouth