Ministry of Public Works Signs Strategic Engineering Contract for 100-Kilometer Galkayo–Elgula Road Project

Mogadishu, (SONNA) — The Ministry of Public Works, Reconstruction and Housing of the Federal Government of Somalia officially hosted a high-level signing ceremony today for the feasibility study, detailed engineering design, environmental and social impact assessment, and procurement documentation for the Galkayo–Elgula road section. This 100-kilometre segment is a critical phase of the larger 260-kilometre Galkayo–Hobyo transport corridor.

The Galkayo–Hobyo route represents one of the most strategic infrastructure corridors in central Somalia, serving as a primary economic artery that connects inland commercial hubs directly to maritime ports along the Indian Ocean. Local communities, business networks, diaspora groups, and regional administrations have long advocated for the modernisation of this corridor to stimulate trade, improve civic mobility, and enhance security stabilisation across the region.

The ministerial event was chaired by the Federal Minister of Public Works, Reconstruction and Housing, H.E. Ayub Ismail Yusuf. High-level dignitaries in attendance included the Federal Minister of Defense, H.E. Ahmed Moallim Fiqi; the Galmudug State Minister of Public Works, H.E. Ahmed Dhiblawe Asir; the Managing Director of IBS Bank, H.E. Abdirizak Ali Warsame; representatives from the GOB Community Organisation; and executives from KKATT Consult Limited, led by Managing Director Eng. Kato Kagga.

“This project holds profound importance for the comprehensive development of our national economic infrastructure,” Minister Ayub Ismail Yusuf stated during the ceremony. “The Federal Government remains fully committed to working in close coordination with the Galmudug State administration, international development partners, the private sector, and local communities to systematically accelerate infrastructure investments across the country.”

The Federal Minister of Defense, H.E. Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, commended the Ministry of Public Works for its execution of this initiative, highlighting the leadership of Minister Ayub Ismail Yusuf in driving the project forward to the contract execution stage.

Under the terms of the newly signed contract, KKATT Consult Limited will oversee all technical studies, preliminary and detailed engineering designs, environmental and social impact evaluations, and the final preparation of tender documents for the 100-kilometre Galkayo–Elgula stretch. The infrastructure initiative is part of the broader Road Infrastructure Programme Somalia (RIPSOM), which is funded jointly by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the European Union (EU), and implemented by the Federal Ministry of Public Works.

The Ministry concluded the proceedings by expressing formal appreciation to the African Development Bank, the European Union, the Galmudug State Administration, and local community leadership for their sustained partnership in advancing Somalia’s transport infrastructure network, driving economic growth, and strengthening inter-regional connectivity.