Berbera, (Hornpost) – The Ministry of Finance and Economic Development of the Republic of Somaliland has clarified the situation regarding a ship that has been docked at Berbera Port for several weeks, confirming that the vessel is being held solely due to the non-payment of applicable customs duties, and not for any other reason.
Senior officials from the Ministry, including Ahmed Abdirahman Harir, Manager of Berbera Customs, Abdirahman Ismail Hussein, Director of the Customs Department, and Mohamed Kanadiid, Director of the Legal Department, held a press conference in Berbera to address ongoing public speculation about the vessel, which is carrying processed cooking oil imported by a local company.
Customs Manager Ahmed Abdirahman Harir explained that the ship is transporting ready-to-use edible oil, which only requires packaging before being distributed to the market. He emphasized that the vessel was held by customs officials to ensure the payment of the legally required import tax, stating:
“This ship is carrying refined, ready-to-use oil. The only reason it was stopped is to ensure that the required customs duties are paid. Once the due tax is settled, the vessel will be cleared immediately.”
Mr. Harir further noted that the company in question, Omar Group of Company, regularly receives tax exemptions for its industrial production activities in accordance with Somaliland’s fiscal laws. He revealed that during the current week alone, the government had granted tax exemptions for 30 containers imported by the company, in line with existing legal provisions.
“Omar operates six large factories, all of which are entitled to regular tax exemptions for their manufacturing inputs,” he said. “Just this week, 30 containers were cleared under lawful exemptions. Omar is both one of the largest taxpayers and among the biggest beneficiaries of government-approved duty exemptions.” Customs Manager Ahmed Abdirahman Harir
Meanwhile, the Director of the Customs Department, Abdirahman Ismail Hussein, reiterated that the imported oil was undergoing the normal clearance procedures applied to all goods entering Berbera Port. He added that the Ministry’s aim was to provide accurate information to the public and counter the spread of misinformation circulating on social media and some media outlets.
“The clearance process follows standard legal procedures that apply equally to all importers,” he said. “There is no special treatment or delay beyond what the law requires.”
The Ministry of Finance reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, fair taxation, and equal enforcement of customs regulations for all importers and companies operating in the Republic of Somaliland.
Hornpost staff Reporter
Hargeisa, Somaliland
