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Boosaso, (InsideSomalia.org) Row over oil exploration erupts between the semi-autonomous regional state of Puntland and the federal government of Somalia, says report.
The row came after Puntland parliament ratified a new law on oil and mineral exploration and production in Puntland.
"We are putting all our efforts to enhance and improve our economical situation and increase Somalia's economy '" said Puntland's minister of Information Abdirahman Mohamed Bankah.
The federal government in Mogadishu seem to be not caring about what is going on in Puntland especially it's efforts on oil exploration and former cabinet of ministers led by former Somali Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Geeddi rejected the offer from Puntland state.
People in Bosaaso, the provincial capital of Bari region mostly talk about the issue on oil exploration after last week a delegation of oil exploration companies and foreign journalists visited the town and had talks with the authorities.
To Puntland, oil exploration means enriching and boosting economy and prestige before all other members of the disabled federal system of Somalia adopted at the reconciliation conference in Kenya in 2004 in which Abdullahi Yusouf Ahmed was elected as the president of Somalia and Transitional Federal Government of Somalia was established.
"Puntand is firmly insisting on to continue the oil scheme but the central government is diverting the attention from the issue and do not wish Puntland had it's oil” said Ahmed Isse, a resident in Boosaso speaking to InsideSomalia.org in Boosaaso.
Puntland is comically higher than Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia divested by on going fighting between allied government and Ethiopian troops against insurgents believed to be remnants of the Union of Islamic Courts ousted in Mogadishu and many parts of south Somalia on 2006.
Business is booming in Puntland especially Boosaaso and Garowe where almost security is reliable although last year waves of violence, kidnapping, primacy, roadside bombs and assassination attacks occurred in Boosaaso which was relatively more calm and secure comparing to the capital Mogadishu.
Ali Abdi Awareh, Puntland's minister of international Affairs and cooperation speaking at the opening ceremony of the first launching on air of a new FM radio station "Horseed Radio" in Boosaso, the fifth radio station operating in contrast with two two television station: SBC television and Eastern television said that Puntland respects Media.
"Here media is free, Puntland protects journalists' rights" he said.
A Journalist from InsideSomalia.org traveled 900km from Galkacyo town to Bosaaso and said that the road linking the two towns was relatively secure with out interruptions from road blocks by the militias known to be scattered at many parts of south Somalia including Hiran, Middle Shabelle, Lower Shabelle Banadir and Lower Jubba.
"Even I haven't heard a single gunshot except those I heard during the opening ceremony of Horseed media at tropical Hotel where guards fire against armed thugs” said Yasmin Omer, a journalist from Mogadishu traveling with insidesomalia.org.
People displaced from Mogadishu and nearby towns live in Boosaaso and Galkacyo peacefully doing household jobs including cleaning houses, washing clothes, baby sitting, carpebtry, building and cooking for the most famous restaurants in Bosaso and Galkacyo.
"Here, we are well paid but separated living out the town in make - shift huts" said Abdalla Madey, an IDP from Waber district in Mogadishu who now works in restaurant in Bosaso.
“Economic growth fastly comes up from revenue from the port “said Abdiqani, a local journalist in Boosaaso who praised people in Bosaso for their inspiration to think and make realistic on the exploration and production of Oil in Puntland.
"Even the Puntland State promised to establish Biyo-Kulule-(warm water , a natural warm water source ,2km south of Bosaso) well as a tourist attraction site, from the site receives 67- 120 people including foreign tourists because the warm water from the source treated against rheumatism" said Ayanle , an elderly man whom we met at Biyo kulule , a well known tourist attraction site in Bosaso where people with Rheumatism ailments are treated just washing body with the warm water from water source pouring in naturally in a bond were people wash up and clean their bodies with the water.
"It remained me Gangs river were people wash water for purification of soil but this is different it is purification of rheumatism" said Ahmed Jalali, a Paksitani whom we met at Biyo kulule along with a group of Yemenis there.
Puntland seem want to leap over head and try explore oil and minerals and federal government wish to look after those against and fight for its existence but one should ask " who is right and who is wrong".
"This row could split between Puntland state and federal government and create ever tensioned relationship " said Mohamed Farah, a political annalist in Boosaso.
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