Under the high patronage of His Excellency Mr. Ismaïl Omar Guelleh, President of the Republic of Djibouti, the inauguration ceremony for several infrastructure projects in the Balbala district was held today. These projects were carried out by the Djiboutian Agency for Social Development (ADDS) as part of the Integrated Urban Development Project 2 (PDUI2), financed by the French Development Agency (AFD) to the tune of €23 million.
Upon his arrival, the Head of State was greeted by the Prime Minister, the President of the National Assembly, the Minister of Defense, the Minister of Social Affairs and Solidarity, the Minister of Urban Development and Housing, the French Ambassador to Djibouti, the Director General of the Djiboutian Agency for Social Development (ADDS), the Regional Director of the French Development Agency (AFD) based in Nairobi, the Director of the AFD in Djibouti, as well as numerous high-ranking civilian and military officials.
The inauguration program began with the opening of the Moustiquaire gendarmerie brigade, followed by the laying of the foundation stone for a family and child protection brigade. The Head of State then inaugurated a shopping mall complex, before opening sports fields for the youth and residents of the project area.
The President of the Republic concluded his program with the inauguration of the Layabley Community Development Center (CDC), a local infrastructure dedicated to strengthening the social fabric, supporting community initiatives, and promoting social inclusion.
All of these achievements are fully aligned with the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing’s Zero Slum Program, which aims to sustainably improve the living conditions of the population, combat substandard housing, and promote inclusive and structured urban development.
The implementation of Integrated Urban Development Project 2 (PDUI2) concretely illustrates the political will of the highest state authorities to promote inclusive, balanced, and sustainable urban development for the benefit of the most vulnerable populations. As the project owner, the Djiboutian Agency for Social Development (ADDS) played a central role in the planning, coordination, and execution of this structuring program, in full alignment with national guidelines and in close synergy with institutional, technical, and financial partners. At the forefront of this dynamic, the Director General of ADDS established himself as the key player and principal guarantor of the effective implementation of this project, which he supported with unwavering commitment, rigor, and a strong sense of the public interest from its inception to its completion. His total commitment, leadership, and vision enabled him to unite all stakeholders around common objectives, generating unanimous support and recognition, and giving this day strong political significance, a symbol of public action serving the social and urban development of Balbala.
Through PDUI2, the State reaffirms its commitment to opening up isolated neighborhoods, strengthening local public services, ensuring the safety of people and property, and sustainably improving the living conditions of the residents of the Balbala municipality.
