Mandera residents have been asked to resolve runaway insecurity in the region for business to thrive.
Area chamber of commerce chairman Abdirahim Sheikh asked residents to cooperate with security agents in restoring security.
He said the kidnapping of Cuban doctors early April has adversely affected trade in the border county. “We are closing businesses as early as 6 pm for fear of more terror attacks. It is now time we give security agents information on terror activities in the region,” said Sheikh.
He spoke on Thursday during elections of Mandera chapter of the chamber of commerce.
Sheikh who was elected unopposed said he will work with the national government to restore security in the region.
Mama Alphonse Dahir who was elected in the director’s board asked abductors of the Cuban doctors to release them as they were helping in complicated surgeries that their Kenyan counterparts could not undertake prior to kidnapping.
“The security situation in the region is wanting and it is up to us to maintain peace as no business can thrive in turmoil,” she said.
Sheikh noted there was a lot area residents shared with their Somalia counterparts and asked them to use the relationship in getting security information.
Sheikh said he will do all he can to build a conducive business environment in the region.
He asked the government to open up the closed border with Somalia for increased business opportunities in the region.
The chairman said there was need to expedite measures to gazette a customs office on the Ethiopian border for tax collection and regularization of trade between the two countries.
By Dickson Githaiga
