(21-06-23) MOGADISHU — The Federal Government of Somalia’s Minister of Petroleum and Minerals, Abdirisaaq Omar Mohamed, met on Wednesday with prominent business leaders of oil companies in Mogadishu for discussions on the country’s current petroleum industry landscape.
The Ministry’s director-general also joined the meeting, wherein the laws and regulations implemented by the Ministry were laid out and discussed with the businessmen. The importance of adherence to these regulations was emphasised in order to maintain the safety and welfare of the people and the environment.
The business leaders provided the Minister with insights into the challenges they currently face and circumstances that they believe require immediate attention. The open exchange aimed to foster an environment of transparency and collaboration between the government and industry stakeholders.
One significant concern raised by Minister Abdirisaaq was the issue of low-quality oil imports in areas unprepared for fuel sales. He emphasised the importance of avoiding such situations and outlined the procedures established by the Somali government to prevent these scenarios.
In a statement following the meeting, the Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the protection of its citizens and the environment. This includes monitoring and control of oil import quality, regulatory compliance from businesses, and responsiveness to the industry’s prevailing challenges.
Somalia is gearing up to commence oil extraction activities next year, these measures are not just timely but crucial. The move is a landmark step in harnessing the country’s untapped resources, promising to potentially transform the economic outlook of Somalia.
