MOGADISHU, Somalia - Somalia government on Saturday suspended a multi-million World Bank project known as Somalia Urban Resilience Project (SURP), officials said. Somali Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire intervened the World Bank  $112 million grant to deliver prioritized infrastructure in Somalia’s cities and strengthen municipal government capacity, saying that the project is "subject for review” with the attendance of all municipalities of the country.


The announcement of the suspension follows shortly after the project was signed for implementation by Somali minister of finance and Mayor of Mogadishu, Omar Fillish.

According to the World Bank, the Somalia Urban Resilience Project (SURP) II  will support infrastructure investments in strategic cities such as Mogadishu, Garowe, Kismayo and Baidoa while also laying the groundwork for expansion to cities in the States of Galmudug and Hirshabelle to achieve national coverage.

Many say that the government is drawing support for Hirshabelle and Galmudug and their inclusion for the project is a priority as the 2020 election draws closer.

- Horn Observer -