Republished by Horn Africa News
Source: Abdifatah Haaji Dirir
Abdifatahi Haji Dirir, posted on his Facebook page, highlighted comments from Najma Abdirisak, the Chairperson of the University of Medical Sciences, who warned that Somalia’s Puntland may soon lose its taxpayers due to worsening economic hardships.
Najma compared the high cost of electricity in Puntland to that of Egypt.
“In Cairo, Egypt, a household with three air conditioners, a refrigerator, a washing machine, and constant electricity use pays between $20–30. In contrast, in Puntland, particularly in Bossaso, running just one air conditioner for a limited time costs $600,” she said.
She noted that in Egypt, $15 can feed an entire family, while in Puntland the same amount hardly covers a single person’s meal.
“I believe that soon there will be no taxpayers left. Puntland’s struggling lower class and the government will be left facing each other unless serious steps are taken to lower costs,” she warned.
Najma further argued that economic neglect and profit-driven business practices are forcing people to leave the region. “If the government does not step in to share the burden with its poorest citizens, many more challenges will arise,” she added.
She also questioned whether any government ministry is tracking the number of families leaving the country compared to those moving in.
“The people I have seen leaving, and those who call me seeking advice on migration, are not few,” she concluded.
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