Puntland Diaspora Community In Western Australia met Range resources Peter landau.

On the 16th of June 2012, the diaspora community of Puntland, Somalia currently residing in Perth,Western Australia hosted an information seminar with the executive director of Range Resources, Mr. Peter Landau.

The night started off with Mr. Sharahbil as the host who first gave the mic to Mr. Mukhtar Esse who is the head of the Puntland diaspora community in Australia who welcomed everyone and kicked off the night. The night included dinner and refreshments as well as a Somali Rawayaad (sketch comedy show) by some local youth.

Mr Landau was preceded by Mr. Abdihakim Hassan and Mr Ahmed- Nur Mire, Mr. Hassan addressed the topography of Puntland from the lowest valley to the highest peak where as Mr Mire addressed why Range resources contract rights to the oil in Puntland would benefit our state. The reasoning being that the Puntland government would receive 4% royalties before the expenses were taken out and a further 50% afterwards. This much needed money could help bring about a new age in Puntland by helping to drive the economy and providing jobs potentially for thousands of people in the state.

Somalia, and in particular Puntland, remain one of the last under-explored countries that have high potential for vast reserves of hydrocarbons. During the late 1980’s the State was divided into a number of concessions for oil exploration. Significant exploration was undertaken but this effectively ceased due to political instability that arose in 1991.

The mineral potential has been investigated during the 2006 by Range’s team of geologists based in Bosasso on the northern coast .The geological work has identified the potential of large silver rich lead zinc deposits analgous to the Jabali deposit in southern Yemen.

Puntland is believed to have all the geological requirements to become a commercial oil-producing region. Somalia, and in particular Puntland, remains one of the last under-explored countries that has a high potential for considerable reserves of hydrocarbons which can be subsequently developed for the benefit of both the people of Puntland and Range Shareholders.

The Company believes that through the generation of work and government royalties from hydrocarbon exploration and development numerous social and economic benefits will result.

Towards the end of the information seminar, Peter Landau was made available for a questions and answers session.

Mr Landau claimed to have a “lawyer’s knowledge” and could answer every question well which he managed to do.

Questions included topics such as the environmental impact the industrialization of oil will have in the land, how the oil will be transported efficiently, how the diaspora youth can find avenues to go back to their country and be involved in this massive project, when the first barrel of oil will be ready as well of many other questions.

Mr Landau did a great job of informing the community and will be again available for an interview in the near future.

Mohamed Foore

Baalade15@hotmail.com