By Hanad Abdi - Reporter
GAROWE, 28 September 2026 Puntland Vice President Ilyas Osman Lugatoor on Sunday inaugurated the first phase of the NAGAAD stormwater drainage project in Garowe.
The project is part of a broader initiative to improve Garowe’s infrastructure and reduce the risks posed by flooding and rainwater to the city’s roads and neighbourhoods.
The project was launched with a groundbreaking ceremony in May 2025, while construction officially began on June 15 of the same year. The work was completed in June 2026.
Construction of the first phase cost approximately $5.77 million, according to the project’s contract records. The contract was awarded to TTN Construction Company, which carried out the construction work.
The project was financed by the World Bank, with Garowe Municipality participating in its implementation. The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) also provided technical support and assessment services.
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The Puntland Vice President said the project demonstrated that Somali cities could be developed through effective planning, cooperation and sustained investment.
“This project shows that Somalia’s cities can be developed,” Lugatoor said, describing Garowe as a model for urban development elsewhere in the country.
Lugatoor also said Puntland was committed to implementing subsequent phases of the project in partnership with the World Bank and other development partners to further improve Garowe’s infrastructure and public services.
NAGAAD, formally known as the Somalia Urban Resilience Project Phase II (SURP-II), is being implemented in several Somali cities. It aims to improve roads, bridges and drainage systems while strengthening the capacity of municipal authorities.