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Old and new clash on Mogadishu docks as Turkey抯 Albayrak builds box shop

THE Somali government's modernisation of the Port of Mogadishu under Turkish management has run afoul of local politicians, who sniff impropriety, and from dockers who fear being replaced by machines, reports Reuters.

The port's six old quays are worked by thousands of labourers who service ancient dhows, who fear they will have little role in working containerships and shore cranes as the state dreams of a surge in maritime revenues, reports Reuters.

Turkey's Albayrak Group is supposed to bring moderisation about now that it has been awarded of the 20-year concession.

But members of a fractious parliament have accused the government of making the award without proper oversight, while labourers, fearing for their jobs, have staged violent protests in which at least one man was killed.

"If you come to the Mogadishu port at the moment, you will wonder if it is a market or a port," said Abdirahman Omar Osman, an adviser to the Somali presidency, describing how porters rush to dhows and ships as they tie-up, seeking cash to help unload.

"The Turkish company will improve the infrastructure, maximise the income of the government and bring the port to international standards," he said.

Albayrak started work last month and has suffered clashes between its Turkish staff and Somali workers, which has brought work to a halt.

Last month, three Turks were beaten and a Somali was killed during a scuffle between the labourers and the Turkish workers, according to a port official who asked not to be named.

"The government deliberately handed over the port to the Turkish company without considering our right to work and earn an income," porter Ahmed Siicow told Reuters. "Turkey wants to use its lifts instead of the thousands of porters."

The government hopes to double port revenue within a year from today's US$5 million a month from duties, the minister said, adding that Albayrak will improve collections by some $1.2 million, of which the state gets 55 per cent.

Albayrak plans four new berths as well as repairing the six existing quays.

DP World also showed interest, according to a source in the United Arab Emirates and a Somali with knowledge of the award. But Albayrak had the only firm offer, said one source. DP World would not comment.

Albayrak said Turkish firms were also fixing Mogadishu's airport and constructing schools, hospitals and mosques.

While UAE, which provides support to Somalia's security forces, has opposed radical Muslim governments, Turkey's government with Islamist roots, has been more friendly.