Tog-Wajaale, Ethiopia – The Somali Regional State (SRS) has officially inaugurated a major clean water project in the city of Tog-Wajaale, bringing an end to years of water scarcity for tens of thousands of residents. The project, worth nearly 500 million Ethiopian Birr (approximately $9 million), was completed over a two-year period and is expected to serve nearly 60,000 people with reliable, clean water directly to their homes.

Funded by Ethiopia’s Ministry of Water and Energy, the initiative aims to significantly improve water access and hygiene conditions in the region. It is part of the broader CRWASH initiative, which is designed to mitigate water shortages and provide sustainable water solutions for the next two decades.

The official inauguration ceremony was attended by the President of the Somali Regional State, Mustafe Muhumed Omar, Ethiopia’s State Minister for Water and Energy, and the Somali Region’s Minister of Water, Ahmed Mirad Layli.

“This project will have a profound impact on the everyday lives of the people of Tog-Wajaale,” said President Mustafe during the ceremony. “It is part of the ongoing transformation and commitment to regional development and public service delivery.”

President Mustafe, who originally laid the foundation stone for the project in late 2022, also praised the successful implementation of similar water projects in other cities including Jigjiga and Gode.

With its modern infrastructure, the Tog-Wajaale water project represents a major milestone in SRS’s sustainable development goals, ensuring long-term access to clean water and improving the quality of life for thousands of households across the region.