In my previous article under the title of Borama Bright Spots, I have examined the organizations, institutions and business entities that emerged in the recent years and contributed to the betterment of the lives of Borama residents or skyrocketed the reputation of the town at least. Similarly, today's article will focus on the dark dots of Borama town that are obstacle to development and downgrading the status of the city. The aim of these pieces of writings is neither to cause damage to the reputation of any institution nor to promote the interest of another. Conversely, the wisdom behind these is to bring into the light and applaud the effective organizations that promote the name and stand of the town while reader's attention is drawn towards the ones that fall in the dark dots in order to be improved.
1.Poor Roads
Borama town has one of the worst road connections throughout the country. The main roads that connect the town to other parts of the country are worse. This has a profound implication on the town and its people as it has kept trade of the town in a state of no further flourishing. Though Borama’s geographical location has a significant advantage, yet inaccessible trade connection prevented the town and its residents to exploit this strategic location thus far.
The road that connects Borama and Hargeisa is in a poor state of maintenance and around 46 Km of it, is unfortunately very rough and taking its toll. Many people who live in Hargeisa would like to spend their weekends at Borama but were disappointed by the bumpy and rough road that connects between the two major cities. In this regard, Borama loses thousands of Dollars annually to bad roads. On the other hand, the main trade route that connects Borama to Djibouti is even in an appalling situation. In the summer, a large number of Djiboutians spend their vacation at Borama. However, it is now apparent that these people are attracted by some other towns that competitively offered them much better living conditions including easily accessible road connections.
Even the small roads that connect the different residential areas within Borama town have reached their worst and lowest stage let alone the major roads that connect the city to other towns in the country and beyond. What is worth to mention here, however, is the serious effort made by the current mayor of Borama town to rehabilitate the existing roads. Indeed it is a good step taken toward the right direction and the young mayor should be praised for this heroism move and at the same time assisted implement his urban planning initiatives. In short, poor roads are a dark dot of Borama and its citizens who are expected to unite their resources in order to connect their city to the rest of the country as well as the neighboring countries before it becomes isolated town.
2. Accummulation of Garbage
These days, Borama is progressively becoming unhygienic town. Garbage accumulates every place in the town. The first thing that visitors notice is the widespread rubbish that is lying around every where. The city dwellers are gradually developing a culture of either indifference or complete acceptance of living with the garbage. The whole town has been turned to dumpsite. To make matters worse, the local residents pay garbage collectors (mainly Ethiopians) to collect their garbage only to deposit it in front of their next door neighbor.
Apart from the garbage disposed of every place that one could reach, astray dogs post a real threat to the city and its inhabitants. The number of the dogs is increasing day in day out and no one is just considering a strategy to curb this problem. Although the sanitation and hygienic situation of all Somali towns are worsening as a result of the changing lifestyles and the effects of the civil strife, Borama is now considered to be one of the most soiled and hygienically one of the poorest towns in Somaliland. Finally, poor sanitation and the mountains of garbage that accumulated in Borama are one of the dark dots of the town.
3. Closure of Borama Airport
Borama airport, once the busiest airfield in Somaliland is on the verge to officially close down its doors. The passengers departing and arriving at Borama now use Hargeisa airport and has to travel around 120km by road. Apart from the inconvenience this has caused, the city loses huge amount of money to Hargeisa. So many people used to work at Borama airport during its honeymoon and secured their daily livings from there. Now, all these things perished. The continuing closure of Borama airport is one of the darkest dots of the town.
4. Absence of Recreational Centers
Borama, a city of over 180,000 residents lacks all recreational centers. The city does not have a soccer field where the young generation could play soccer and display their skill and potentiality in terms of football and other outdoor games. The town has an old football ground which does not even have a fence that could protect it from land grapers. The very unfortunate thing is that Borama football players, sports fans and the local community at large are put in a state of deep embarrassment and humiliation when visiting football clubs from other towns pay a visit to their town. The humiliated local footballers don't have any other option rather than organizing a friendly-match at this irrigated farm-like football ground.
The recently resolved football hooliganism and juvenile delinquency in Borama town was attributed to the absence of football grounds as around 40 football clubs had to share the said soccer ground.
5.Destruction of Borama Public Enclosure (Seeraha Borama)
In the old days Borama town used to have one of the most beautiful public enclosures throughout the country. Whenever you hear the name of Borama, the first thing that rushes to your mind was the beauty, natural habitat and panoramic view of Borama Public Park. Unfortunately, this is history and does not exist anymore as refugees destroyed that beautiful trademark during the years of war. It must be mentioned and applauded the efforts of the then mayor of Borama town Mr. Ibrahim Magan Nour to restore the beauty of the park by enclosing small portion of it and reforested it. Today this small enclosure is growing and the beautiful plants have just taken root to reappear one day in the near future. However, the destruction of the famous seeraha Borama and its natural habitat is another dark dot of the town.
Abdirahman Adan Mohamoud
Readers are encouraged to comment on this piece of writing. In case you have additional dark dots of Borama town, share with the readers by either leaving your suggestion in the comments box or sending to this e-mails address:
10 comments:
I have not much to add to this Article, as the writer said it all and well. But what i wanted to say is It's really unfortunate that all of these predicaments "Dark Dots", has been there and will continue to be there for the many years to come, untill some body does something about it. But the million $$ question is who is that some body?? Well I beleive its none other than us " Awdal" people where ever they are in the world.
A point that deserves to be aplauded for is, for these problems to be solved, there should be some body who wants to talk about it, then be debated upon! Its worth to be mentioned that Abdirahman started it by writing this sad but otherwise well crafted Article that draws a light upon these extreme situations that causes our beloved city "Borama" to sway at the very back of the rest of the Country interms of Development wise.
One thing i don't uderstand though is despite the fact there is so many international organisations in the Somaliland, that are destined to do something about such perplexities, but yet somehow are busy doing something that's beyond my knowledge and obviously to many others!
To sum up, i would suggest that we do what we do best; keep talking about it. Untill that beautifull day that wise "Somebody" does do something about it!!! I really hope that day comes soon.
Wais Q. Dahir
Dear Abdirahman,
Its another step forward to share with you your ideas, and open debate, which young intellectuals could share and express their views. Let me come down the issue, I am quietly sure you have read the minds of a lot of people like me, because you have done what I was thinking about.
Its clear, what you have mentioned is true and if we did not undertake this, Boram town will beyond rest of the country years and years. Let me share with your view and supplement another two Dark dots of Borama
1. Public Library
This is another dark dots that Borama town has, library is the only place that you can get the information you need. Borama had experienced many years lack of public library, apart from, Amoud University, which is allowed to use by students, nevertheless its allowed non students to come and use the library but its long way to go their, which is almost 20 minute to go by car or 1 hour by foot. even Amoud students need a public library.
2. Lack of investment: The economic of the country 80% depend upon investment from external investors or internal investors, apart from the other town, Borama had neither internal investment nor external investment. To make the matter worst, Borama people who live in Diaspora, mean to invest their own home.
By Abdirisak Abadir
Well done Abdirahman! I agree with you these areas to be the dark dots of the city. I also aknowledge that they are not all. But they can be regarded as the major ones. I just want to emphasize two points:
1. enterprising nature of the city: I think Borama is currently suffering from the self-fulfilling prophecy of Borama iyo aakhiraba waa loo shaqaystaa. It is turning out to be the retreat for the pension collectors and the city's enterprising spirit is lost. Just for the reader's reminder, Borama has the second highest per capita remittance from Diaspora of the former Somalia after Hargeisa. One would normally expect this massive inflow of money generates employment. Unfortunately, it is not felt that way. Maybe, it pays off the family bills. Add this to the fact that Borama is in the cross-roads for three countries: Somaliland, Djabouti, and Ethiopia, and tell me what you get.
2. the built environment of the city: Borama is not only a dump-site, but also a collection of buildings. Maybe we get offended as I say these things. Another reminder: I am Boramian and love the city. However, what I see is a city growing without any urban planning. It merely finds itself building one more without giving any access to road, to school, and to a recrational centres. It is growing without market. Imagine the market of Borama that connects the people of Sheikh Ali Jawhar district to Sheikh Osman District, to Sheed-Dheer District? Imagine the market where every woman shops for the grocery? It is just one/two. And do not expect any of these people to come on bus. They walk three kilometers to and fro the market.
One more environmental issue that Borama residents should prevent against: the spilling of engine oil on the paved roads. Many people think that this will help the soil stick together, others just want ensure that dust is settled. However, it has health concerns. When the rain falls and drains the oil to the wells, we will soon be drinking oil-coated water. I leave the doctors to explain what hazard that poses to our health.
Finally, I did not mean to complicate or expose the myriad of problems Borama is currently suffering. I just wanted to draw our attention to where it is needed. I think it is not the time to wait for somebody to come someday and do something. I think what we have is crystal-clear story: Borama is calling, can we hear?
Otherwise, thanks Abdirahman for drawing our attention to this important exercise.
The perception of Borama Dark Slots is very marvelous or fabulous, it’s well documented, I would like to thank in advance to Abdirahman Aden, as he articulated this commentary.
However, I would like to add two or three main factors to support the current Dark Slots of Borama in which A/rahman mentioned, including: -
1st Unemployment: since there are no sources of income, 95% of young generation and adults are unemployed, and are sitting in the restaurants with no job
2nd Negative Attitude: - is also another important Dark Slot, for instances if you propose a program that is going to develop/taking part community development program in Awdal, you may face many challenges from the people, not at all, but some of them, because of their negative attitude based on clan system, there fore can we say negative attitude is another Dark Slot?
3rd Diaspora: - another main Dark Slot of Borama is the Diaspora who hesitates to invest their home land like the Diaspora of Bura’o and Hargeisa did, because Bura’o and Hargeisa, their Diaspora created and established many small income generating activities and other minor programs, in which their people got opportunity to work and to earn salary and benefits from that programs
On the other hand, I disagree with Rayale, because the media of instruction must be an English, this will improve the senior students from Amoud to improve their writing skills to participate the current debates and other social events, to express their opinion, I think this is a good opportunity, they can express their view easily since they have got a place where they can compete and share their thoughts positively, but I am also recommending to created new site of Somali language.
To make my long story under sized, let me reverse to the point, I would like to suggest emphasizing when we finish this discussion, [The Causes of Dark Slots and the Effect that it will have]
I would highly appreciate the way Abdirahman Aden proposed this conception/debate.
Dear Mohamed, I guess the line of discussion is not about with which language can you express yourself more clearly, but what do you think of the subject matter under question. If you think your concept is better expressed in English, then use it. If in Somali, then do it. In that way, we miss nothing.
As for your unemployment dot, I find the unemployment concept as difficult to justify since Borama shares this with all the Somali inhabited towns and cities. That is why I was using, in my comment, lack of enterprising spirit. And I think this is a result of many factors including lack of investment (as Abadir mentioned)- particularly from the Diaspora - which makes the life less entertaining in the city.
Of course, a library is an important facility for any community. However, for a society where the reading culture is very poor, to say the least, a library is merely a luxury, or more correctly corresponds to buying a comb for a bald man. In either case, they can both be there without doing anything.
Finally, I just want to thank Mr. Rayale for drawing my attention to electricity issue. I think, and please correct me if I am wrong, we have two problems with the electricity at this stage:
1. Costly: We have one of the most expensive electricity companies in the world. I have never heard of any country in this world who pays $1 per Kilowatt. Just for your comparison: Djibouti citizens pay 43 franc ($0.25). Of course, you do not need to tell you how much Djiboutian cry about the electricity bill.
2. Messed Skyline: The lines of the companies messed the whole skyline of the city. It is no wonder that the big trucks cut off lines because of the myriad of electric lines owned by the different companies.
Above all, they do not provide adequate security lights for the city. If you happen to commute to Borama on an evening, like I sometimes do, all that you could in the distance is lights of the mosques and few others.
I am very impressed the nationalistic debate started by Abdirahman Adan. Congratulation Brother and keep up to write the similar issues that affect us all. I also want to say thank you to those readers who commented on this article. In fact, this shows me that there are educated and intellectuals considering the intereste of the country back home. Unlike those of us who live in overseas countries, you have the opportunity to closely follow up and write about the existing problems in our country. We very much like to share these issues with you.
I think one of the problems facing Borama is that it does not have a media. Last summer when I was there, people used to wait the newspaper from Hargiesa. This is shame on us isn't it? The city does not even have FM radio where local people can communicate. The only existing media is the poor quality with limited radius of Borama TV. In fact, it deserves to be encouraged and improved. However, the city is lagging behind other towns in many areas particularly in the media sector
Well! Abdurahman, your article is exploring the facts we missed intentionally to look at it . Not because we hate to observe things that matter us but because we have chosen to follow the wrong path - live in dispair. Ok, it is fine with me to list down all dark areas of the town and the region, but, to be frank let's first organise ourselves. If we have to think for the same cause we have to be always on the same boat. If that does not make sense, what I mean is to create a Forum with registered memebers, rules for the Forum, moderators, common goals, do's and donts, and thing more like that should be a good strategy when establishing enduring systems.
Said Mohamed Dahir
Hey Saeed, Thanks for raising that. I really like that idea of having a forum. We can just call it "Adal Forum" to give it historical relevance. Can we do that?
Abdirahman and dear participants, please let us know what you think of the forum idea. If we all agree, we can proceed to the practiciality aspect of establishing a forum.
Dear Mukhtar and Sa'eed
I agree with you to form a forum. But at this stage, I think we have to give the ongoing debate a time. You know several active members are participating it while many people are receiving the e-mails without saying a word. So if we keep this momentum, we would some day get a group of committed indivuduals. May be one day these would be the founding individuals of that forum- who knows.
Mukhtar, for your information, there is a local organization carrying the same name.
In short, I agree with your suggestion but afraid that it is a little bit early.
In short, I welcome your suggestion
Dear Brothers
Thanks all of you. I really appreciated the beautiful way you have exchanged and expressed your valuable ideas and feelings which were following Abdirahman's article of "Dark Dots". I am proud to share with you the development of a dream come true. You really have started this idea with a clear appreciation of our role to create something that is good for our nation.
It is my believe that the youth form the backbone of a nation. They are the building blocks that shape the nation. So, we have to realize that as responsible citizens and fulfill the expectations of our society because this excellence can come about only through attaching due importance to act as a pioneer. A successful future requires the efforts of its youth/nation that is determined, motivated and works in accordance with the vision set by its intellectuals or leadership.
I feel comfortable with the discussion and believe it is a key to success in this beginning development and growth.
In addition to this, I would like to share some tips that I picked up while I read the articles;
*The idea of making a forum. It is a good suggestion to create a forum so we can communicate easily. Through communication, it is the best way we can express our ideas and feelings or of giving and exchanging people information. We should have good relationship because we are able to understand and talk about our own problems so we can solve them easily and in the right time. In my opinion, we need to promote an open exchange of ideas and feelings and put them forward for discussion. Hope this will be a good start for all of us.
Thanks
Abdishakur Ismail
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