By 
In a shocking turn of events, African Vision Aid has been forced to relocate its blind education initiative from Aboudwak, Galgadud Region, to Somaliland, citing bureaucratic hurdles and the prioritization of personal interests by local politicians.
The decision comes after African Vision Aid encountered insurmountable challenges in its attempts to collaborate with the Galmudug administration. Despite the organization’s noble intentions to provide education and support for the visually impaired, political self-interest has taken precedence over the needs of the community.
The Galmudug administration, led by President Ahmed Abdi Kariye Qor-Qor, imposed conditions on the project that were deemed unreasonable and unachievable. These conditions included establishing the institute for the blind in Dhusamareeb, awarding the construction contract to a specific local firm, and relinquishing control of the institute to the administration upon completion.
However, African Vision Aid faced significant obstacles, particularly regarding the exorbitant financial demands of the chosen construction company, Al-Hilal Construction Company. The company’s demands of approximately $4 million far exceeded the reasonable estimates provided by other bidders, highlighting a clear disparity and raising suspicions of favoritism.
Frustrated by the lack of cooperation and the blatant prioritization of personal interests over the welfare of the visually impaired community, African Vision Aid made the difficult decision to relocate the project to Somaliland. This move not only signifies a setback for the blind education initiative but also underscores the unfortunate reality of political maneuvering at the expense of societal progress.
Critics have lambasted the Galmudug administration for its role in hindering a project that aimed to uplift disadvantaged communities. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the pervasive influence of political self-interest in obstructing genuine efforts for positive change.
As African Vision Aid prepares to relocate its operations, questions linger regarding the administration’s commitment to serving the needs of its constituents and upholding principles of transparency and accountability. The visually impaired community in Aboudwak and beyond remains in limbo, awaiting solutions to their educational needs amidst political turmoil.
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