Mogadishu (SONNA): Somalia’s Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, Mohamed Abdi Hayir (Maareeye), chaired a high-level consultative meeting at the ministry’s headquarters to address mounting challenges along the Lower Shabelle River and the urgent need to rehabilitate key bridges vital to local transport and economic activity.
The meeting focused on identifying solutions for the repair and reconstruction of several critical bridges—Sabiib, Caanoole, Bariire, Janaale, and Awdhiigle—which play a central role in facilitating the movement of people, trade, and agricultural produce from the region.
The discussions brought together senior government officials, including Minister of Defence, Ahmed Moallim Fiqi and Minister of Public Works, Reconstruction and Housing, Ayuub Ismail Yusuf, alongside the Chairman of the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA), representatives from the Somali Chamber of Commerce and Banadir Regional Chamber, business leaders, farmers from Lower Shabelle and Golweyn, money transfer operators, Hormuud Salaam Foundation, and ADC.
Participants underscored the importance of strengthening cooperation between the government, private sector, and local communities to tackle the river’s challenges, ensure functional bridge infrastructure, and improve the cleanliness and flow of river waterways.
The meeting concluded with a fundraising effort to support the removal of collapsed bridge الحديد (iron debris) from the river and to finance clean-up operations, aimed at restoring mobility for residents and facilitating the transport of agricultural produce, thereby boosting productivity in the Lower Shabelle region.
