Dahabshil Group vs. Sahel Communities

Last week, a group of elders representing the Sahel Communities ( Dan iyo Duco) raised ob jection the permit for Dahabshil to build a new cement plant from scratch right next to the ruins of old Berbera cement factory As I watched the video of the gathering of the elderly, the Sahel communities concerns about the new cement plant permit were: residents includi ng their own elected local officials were completely cut-out the decision making process reg arding the permit for the construction of the plant. The environmental and safety issues th at could affect the well-being and the quality of life of the citizens and children in the region were not addressed. However, the most contentious of all was a permit that former Riyaale administration issued to a local group to rebuild the old factory if it is feasible or to build a new one.

Building a cement plant is not easy venture. It is a capital-intensive business, which needs huge investment. Companies with access to a cheaper finance know how technology to ma ke better cement more cheaply and using less power, and the experience to avoid environ mental disasters, would have advantages in cement trade. For example, a typical cement plant with production capacity of 1.2 million tonne/yr, might cost around $250-350 million, to build from scratch, plus unseen budget contingencies and additional cost overruns. Although refurbished plant is much cheaper, it is not as efficient as a new one.

In addition, the builder should have to own property that could support the size of a cem ent plant and the mill, and should have access or own limestone quarry and other raw mat erials such as Silica, and mineral rights to produce the primary aggregate needed for the cement. Up to now, what the Dahabshil group got is only a presidential decree and a letter from a rogue government minister, granting them a permit to build a new cement plant.

Undoubtedly, Somaliland needs investment, growth, development, and jobs; however, awar ding Dahabshil a license to build a cement factory is not to going create jobs or entice inves tment. Because it would only give Dahabshil the rights to claim the sole ownership of the raw materials and the minerals that are essential to produce cement-- and then look for a foreign investor as joint venture, maybe in China---for capital and machinery, to build the physical plant to produce anything, and sell it as a cement. There is a possibility this could happen, and we must stop, before it is too late

With global recession, as well as slow demand of cement in Somaliland, I thought Cement trade is not a profitable business venture. Nevertheless, the Dahabshil group think cement a valuable commodity for wrong reasons. The total cement consumption for the whole Somaliland/Somalia was around 200,000.00 tonne for the last year. The average price of cement is around $85.00/tonne. For example, according to the suppliers of cement, it cost $20 a tonne to ship from Berbera to Hargeysa, a total distance of 180 km.

I do not think Somaliland could accommodate two cement factories in 10-km2 area. I really do not understand why Somaliland leaders are silent about this dispute.

Just because Dahabshil group contributed financially to the presidential campaign of Preside nt Silanyo do not entitle them to be granted a very complex project such as building a new cement plant from scratch, with out making sure that Dahabshil group have enough equity to undertake the construction of the plant. We would like to know--how much taxes Daha bshill paid for the last 5 years .The consent of Somaliland people, especially Sahel commun ities, should also be taken into consideration.

Sahel communities are simply asking for: transparency, accountability, and what is the best interest for Somaliland? We should debate openly this important issue, which affect the hea lth and safety of their people. They have rights to demand that.

If Somaliland were a country based on the rule of the law, the Sahel communities and their lawyers would have petitioned to a court of law in Berbera, to block the presidential order or decree granting Dahabshil for the permit. The case would have been called Dahabshil gro up vs. Sahel communities. A judge would have decided the case.

However, in reality, that is not the situation in Somaliland, the president and his rogue and corrupt ministers are lobbying hard for Dahabshil, and would do whatever it takes Dahabshil to prevail at the expense of Sahel communities.

The Sahel Communities have demonstrated how a united group of people could protect their own environment and natural resources, when their own government sided with special interest groups. If Dahabshill, which has no experience, resources, or idea, what it takes to build a cement plant, is not voluntarily withdrawn his plan to acquire the natural resources of Somaliland. The only course of action is the president to either rescind his presidential decree or stop any permit issued by his ministers for the benefit of Dahabshil.

I would advise Dahabshil to concentrate his tax-free core businesses ---the money transfer and telecom; to finish the half-built five-story building— that was erected seven years ago, on the grounds of the former Headquarters of Somaliland police force; and to leave peopl e’s natural resources for the development of Somaliland.

Ultimately, Somaliland has abundant resources to produce a good quality Portland cement, which could become our way of connecting global cement industry.Our President must put the interest of the nation ahead of that 1% of us, who are fighting controlling whatever chance to make money. We need smart and visionary leaders who are able to bring into our country global multinational companies such as France’s Lafarge, with technology and the finance to build environmentally friendly cement plant, which is willing joint venture with a public owned Somaliland cement corporation.

I believe private and public partnership is the best way to develop our cement industry. In addition, Somaliland people and their elders would expect our elected leader to the do the right thing.

“Allah bless Somaliland”
“Long live Somaliland”