Mogadishu (Dawan Africa) – The Benadir Regional Administration (BRA) on Thursday laid the foundation stone for the rehabilitation of the Siigaale stormwater retention pond in Hodan district, a key urban infrastructure project designed to reduce flooding risks and improve public health.
The project forms part of the World Bank–funded Somalia Urban Resilience Project Phase II (SURP-II), also known as the Nagaad Project, which focuses on enhancing Mogadishu’s infrastructure and service delivery.
The Siigaale pond, the largest retention pond in Mogadishu measuring 90 meters by 40 meters with a depth of 4–6 meters, has long posed risks to nearby communities due to stagnant water, flooding hazards, and waste accumulation.
BRA officials highlighted that the Siigaale retention pond serves as a catchment area for rainwater from up to seven districts of Mogadishu, making its rehabilitation critical for urban flood management and community safety.
The Siigaale rehabilitation is financed under SURP-II’s Urban Infrastructure and Services component, which carries a budget of $155 million dedicated to road upgrades and stormwater retention ponds across Mogadishu. The construction works will be undertaken by Buruuj Construction.
“Today, the Mogadishu Municipality, through the implementation of the Nagaad Project, has succeeded in carrying out such extensive work at the Siigaale site. In a matter of days, it will become a managed retention pond, providing a solution to the flooding that used to destroy homes and cause deaths among residents,” said Benadir Governor and Mayor of Mogadishu, Hassan Mohamed Hussein (Muungaab).
According to the Nagaad Project team, the rehabilitation works will include construction of protective fencing, drainage improvements, and environmental safeguards to ensure safer conditions for residents living around the area. Technical designs displayed at the site show that the upgraded facility will address pollution, improve water flow, and mitigate the spread of waterborne diseases.