Somaliland VP warns off mayors against misuse of public funds

Vice President Abdirahman Abdullahi Seylici has called upon mayors across the country to focus on the role of public participation in promoting accountability and enhancing local service delivery.

The Vice President who was speaking in Berbera after a tour to other cities in the country’s eastern regions said decentralization brings a tangible change in the lives of citizens, by bringing government and its services closer to them.

Somaliland has reiterated its commitment to continue supporting and enhancing the UN Joint Programme on Local Governance and Decentralized Service Delivery (JPLG), which aims to strengthen local governance and enhance decentralized services in Somaliland.

Vice President Abdirahman Abdullahi Seylici has called upon mayors across the country to focus on the role of public participation in promoting accountability and enhancing local service delivery.

The Vice President who praised the efforts of everyone involved in this project has warned mayors across the country against the misuse of public money and embezzlement of public funds.

Mr Zayli’i also urged government officials and local government leaders to put citizens at the heart of every government project.

The UN Joint Programme on Local Governance and Decentralized Service Delivery (JPLG), aims to develop the administrations of different sectors of Somaliland such as Education, Health, and different districts nationwide.

Somailand VP Zayli’i

This ambitious project shifts some key decision-making from central to local governments, creating a window of opportunity for more ‘bottom-up’ engagement, backed by a Constitution and legal framework that include provisions for the government to share information, consult the public and regularly gather citizen feedback.

The government believes that the empowerment of local government and improvement of service delivery also benefits the most vulnerable communities.

The Vice president’s warning against local government leaders come when the world marks the international day for anti-corruption.

The UN has lauded anti-graft efforts in both Somaliland and Somalia as the world marks Anti-Corruption Day.