Garowe,(Horn post)— The Acting President and Vice President of the Puntland State of Somalia, H.E. Ilyas Osman Lugatoor, on Tuesday evening witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the construction, expansion, and modernization of Galkayo Airport, officially known as Abdullahi Yusuf International Airport.
The agreement brings together the Puntland Government and the Galkayo Development Group (GDG), a locally owned company, to jointly implement the project. The initiative will also be supported through a community-driven approach, with residents of Mudug region contributing to the development as part of a broader public–private partnership model.
According to officials, the project will cover the construction, expansion, and upgrading of key airport facilities, with the aim of transforming Galkayo Airport into a modern aviation hub that meets international airport standards and operational requirements.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Vice President Lugatoor underscored the strategic importance of Galkayo Airport for Puntland, highlighting its role in enhancing connectivity, facilitating domestic and international travel, and supporting economic growth.
He emphasized that the Puntland Government, together with its people, remains firmly committed to self-reliance and collective action in rebuilding and developing critical infrastructure, particularly transport and aviation facilities that are vital to trade, mobility, and regional integration.
The modernization of Abdullahi Yusuf International Airport is expected to significantly improve air transport services in central Puntland and strengthen Galkayo’s position as a key commercial and logistical center in the region.
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