SOMALIA: Port revamp injects life into economy

MOGADISHU, 23 Oct 2006 (IRIN) - Sacks of sorghum from the US swing out from the docked ship in a large rope net, are winched slowly to the port jetty, and loaded by chanting porters on to rusting trucks in Mogadishu port. The food is destined for southern Somalia "“ which means it must arrive at the port, be loaded on convoys of trucks, and driven out of the city, protected and intact.

Until a few months ago, this was unthinkable. Mogadishu port was a no-go area for more than 11 years while heavily armed faction leaders fought over resources "“ particularly food aid.

The 3,000 metric tonnes of food aid from CARE International are one of three food-aid consignments for Somalia to arrive in Mogadishu since 24 August. According to John Miskell, CARE Somalia, the consignment is destined for North Middle Shabelle, Hiran, Galgadud and North Mudug. Until the port was secured and reopened by the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) in August, food aid had to be delivered to El Man beach "“ where, in a costly and labour-intensive effort, it was moved on to barges and small boats and pushed to shallow waters.

Humanitarian aid

Transportation and delivery of food aid significantly improved, when, after the takeover in June, the UIC removed roadblocks manned by militia and bandits, Leo van der Velden, deputy country director, Somalia, World Food Programme (WFP), said. "The fact that the UIC has removed the check points and improved security in the south has cut costs because the transporters can move freely without extortion," he added.

In addition, pirates, who used to attack and seize ships along the southern Somali coastline, have disappeared over the last few months, making sea transportation a safe option again.

The UIC hired a Greek company to conduct a comprehensive survey of the state of the port; it concluded that vessels up to 9,000 metric tonnes could operate. Larger vessels must continue using El Man.

Port security and equipment

Port security is tight "“ but a far cry from the days of the faction leaders when 'security' meant truck-loads of gunmen and heavy weapons. UIC security guards carry no visible weapons. The entrance to Mogadishu port is cordoned off with rope, and manned by a few armed guards and security officers. Vehicles and visitors are checked and identified. Inside the port, the main administration building is minimally staffed "“ and in serious need of renovation - but operational. As elsewhere in Mogadishu, the UIC stamp is distinctive in its protocol: shoes off before entering any office, and religious codes strictly observed.

According to the port director, Omar Ahmed Weheliye, imports and exports are moving through the port, but it is not yet fully functional. He listed the main problems, including damage from the tsunami, sand pile-up, looting of handling equipment, and sunken ships.

"There are two tug boats inside the water which we tell ships to avoid, and another small ship that sank during the 11 years of closure. We don't have the equipment to pull out the sunken vessels or to clear the sand dunes that have taken over," he said.

He said the supply of electricity was very poor and remaining equipment rusted and broken. Six warehouses have been damaged by shelling. "Almost all handling equipment was looted and what remains is rusted, so we don't have fork lifts and lifts. We also need experienced workers," he said

Since the collapse of the central government 1991, many experts and professionals fled the country, or were killed. In the absence of an education system and training, there is virtually no expertise to draw on. The UIC is trying to encourage professionals to return from the diaspora.

Omar says at present there is no external support or assistance for the port, and the UIC is relying on its own ability to raise money from the business community and exiles. Announcements in the local media call on patriotic Somalis to donate funding.

"But this cannot raise the sort of amounts needed to rehabilitate the port and government offices," Abukar al Badri, a local journalist, said.

Omar said essential equipment for the port was brought in by UNOSOM (United Nations Operation in Somalia) in 1992, but removed when the UN pulled out in 1995. Now, he said, the equipment should be returned.

Imports and exports

The first ship docked in the reopened port on the 24 August, bringing tea, food and household goods from Mombasa, Kenya. Most of the imported goods are from Dubai and Kenya.

On the jetty, port tally clerk Ahmed Siad Haji "“ who records the goods arriving "“ says goods coming into Mogadishu since August are food, rice, tea, sugar, clothes, household furniture, fuel and materials for building and reconstruction.

"Business is good," he said. "These days security is good where the Islamic Courts rule. But you know a trader always has to work, and you can't fear anything. You have to go anywhere, and do what you want. That's business."

Officially, exports are primarily sesame seeds, hides and skins, shark fin, and livestock. The first export of 1,000 camels from southern Somalia left the port for Saudi Arabia on 8 October, the port manager confirmed.

Restoring order

The reopening of the port is a powerful and symbolic landmark for the authority of the UIC, and a critical achievement for security and the economy.

In the absence of a government for the past 16 years, Somalia's ports have been used freely for illegal trade in guns, drugs and people, and it has become one of the world's major smuggling hubs. Somali waters have been abused not just by unscrupulous and violent locals, but also by the international community, including illegal fishing and waste disposal. All areas of the country have been affected.

Reopening Mogadishu port is a major security and economic achievement for the UIC, and opens new opportunities, including for humanitarian aid but regularising and controlling imports and exports will remain a challenge.