Somalia - IOM and Puntland’s Ministry for Security and Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) earlier this month (08/06) held a groundbreaking ceremony to launch the construction of the ministry’s immigration headquarters in Garowe, Puntland State of the Federal Republic of Somalia.

The construction, funded by Norway, will provide an improved work environment for the Immigration Department, which currently operates from rented premises. The building will house the central database server for passport registration and data collection systems installed by IOM called MIDAS (Migration Information and Data Analysis System), an equipped immigration training room, and the administrative headquarters for the Department of Immigration staff. The goal is to effectively deliver and manage immigration and border management services – including passport processing, visa processing and issuance services.

At the ceremony, Puntland’s Vice President, Abdihakim Abdullahi Hajji Omar said: “The Government of the Puntland State of the Federal Republic of Somalia is grateful for the support that it continues to receive from the Norwegian Government and IOM. This building will play a crucial role in helping the Department of Immigration more effectively improve our border security. It will also simplify the government’s efforts to connect Mogadishu and Garowe Immigration Departments as well as other regional administrations.”

IOM Somalia Chief of Mission, Gerard Waite, said: “This building and its facilities will effectively contribute to better facilitate immigration clearance procedures, improve immigration service delivery for the Somali community and make immigration control more effective and cross-border movements more dynamic.”

He added: “Moreover, the central MIDAS database will also create an additional barrier against smuggling and trafficking in persons, help combat immigration fraud as well as contribute to smoother traffic passage through Puntland.”

Also present at the ceremony were representatives from Puntland’s Office of the Mayor in Garowe Municipality, Minister for Transport and Public Works, and Vice Minister for Security and Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR).

For further information, please contact Neil Roberts at IOM Somalia, Tel: +254 710748264, Email: nroberts@iom.int