Somaliland, Djibouti highway inches closer

[Deeq A.]

Initial work is set to commence on a planned new road linking Djibouti with Somaliland after the African Development Bank (AfDB) published a request for consultancy services on the first phase of the cross-border project

In a statement published on the bank’s website, the government of Somaliland said it had received financial assistance from the AfDB for the construction of phase one of the Lowyaddo-Borama road — stretching from Lowyaddo to Zeila, a distance of 30km — as part of a broader highway project known as the Negad-Lowyaddo-Borama road project.

The first phase of the project, estimated to cost around US$44mn, is being managed by the Somaliland Roads Development Agency in Hargeisa.

Earlier in the year, the AfDB also invited bids from contractors for the upgrading of the road to bituminous standard, including a seven-metre-wide wide carriageway, drainage and other ancillary works.

The flexible pavement structure comprises asphalt concrete surfacing, crushed stone base and gravel sub-base.

Construction of the first 30-km section of road is expected to take 15 months after initial groundbreaking works.

The overall goal, according to the AfDB, is to boost regional integration and trade links between Somaliland and its neighbours in the Horn of Africa and beyond.

The bank says the project will also improve transport and communication along the road corridor by reducing travel times and costs, as well as enhancing safety.

The new consulting agency to be hired will provide expert assistance to the Somaliland Roads Development Agency in procurement and contract management services as the project advances.

Separately, the AfDB is moving ahead with plans for a one-stop border post at Lowyaddo on the Somaliland-Djibouti border again as part of efforts to improve regional communications links and connectivity.

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