Hassan Istiila
Monday May 13, 2024
Mogadishu (HOL) - Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud officially inaugurated the new LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) Storage Center in Mogadishu on Sunday, marking a pivotal moment in the fight against deforestation and environmental degradation in Somalia.
Speaking at its opening ceremony, President Mohamud praised the efforts of local officials and Somali businessmen who have backed the government’s environmental protection and reconstruction plans.
“Accessible gas is a stride towards a sustainable and self-sufficient Somalia,” he remarked, urging for price adjustments that align with the economic realities facing Somali households.
The president also called on Somali entrepreneurs to invest in the country’s economic infrastructure. “It’s time for the gas we import to be produced right here in Somalia,” he emphasized, noting the potential for domestic production to meet local demands. He stressed the importance of equitable growth, ensuring that the benefits of economic progress reach every citizen.
Environmental Journalists for Somalia (EJS) told HOL that the demand for charcoal in Somalia is driving desertification and drought, as charcoal remains the primary fuel source for the majority of the country.
The unprecedented rate of deforestation over the past three decades has led to climate-related shocks in various parts of the country, according to EJS.
In 2021, the U.N. Convention to Combat Desertification, known as UNCCD, said an estimated 8.2 million trees were cut down for charcoal in Somalia between 2011 and 2017, increasing land degradation, food insecurity, and vulnerability to flooding and drought.
Currently, over 160,000 people, two-thirds of whom are children, have been impacted by the recent flooding caused by heavy rains in Somalia.
However, the inauguration of the LPG Storage Center represents a significant stride for Somalia, demonstrating a commitment to environmental stewardship and a promising economic future.