THERE is no doubt that Somalis and Somali Bantus in Lewiston, Maine are going to remain and enjoy US Federal Government resources.
Lewiston Mayor Laurent Gilbert confirmed that yesterday when speaking to the Tanzanian Journalists who paid a visit to his office at the City Hall in Pine Street.
“Once you are in America you are no more refugee. One day in thirty years Somali might become a Mayor of Lewiston,” Said Gilbert in confidence.
Gilbert said that is possible as America is a Nation of different nationals, sighting example that himself is originated from French Canadian.
The outgoing Mayor who is Police Retired Officer claimed that low cost housing, safety and employment attracts Lewiston from major cities of Atlanta and Virginia where drugs and gang activities are in high rate.
He said since their migrant in the year 2000, every thing is under control as there is no tangible confrontation between Somali and community living in Lewiston.
On predicting the future of Somalis in Lewiston Mayor Gilbert warned that there is a danger of such community to engage into dealing with drugs, as it will be their only means to survival.
He said that is due to the fact that most of them have never been to the formal education in their home country and their inability to speak English.
On his side Deputy City Administrator Phil Nadeau they are thinking of running a censor that to have a correct record of Somali and non-somali migrants in Lewiston. Current it is estimated their number to reach 15,000.
Nadeau said such a censor would help to know how resettlement fund is needed from the Federal Government to assist immigrants.
Earlier in the interview with Tanzania Journalists, Founder and President of African Immigrants Association Said Mohamoud said they are in Lewiston to stay as they are living in peace as comparing to other US states.
Said said he is not expected back to Somalia as his kids will not agreed with such a mission.
“Kids will not like to go back, because they have brought up here. Therefore I have to stay also for their fate,” said Said.
Said who was Professor of the University in Somalia before he migrated to US, is mostly involved in business as he could not fit to teach in US Universities.
Speaking on the fate of their children who have grown up in different culture apart from that of Somali, said Said there is a danger in ten years, their kids will end up on using drugs and taking alcohol.
When asked on the future situation in Somalia, Said said that peace would be restored on if external support will be evacuated.
He insisted that, war monger in Somalia has external support from Italy, Ethiopia, Kenya, Egypt, Uganda, Saudi Arabia and US.
Said said the war in Somalia will only end once International community stopped to practice double standards.
Said has a great hope that there is a day Somalia will unite and become one nation as it used to be, but he mostly preferred Scandinavia type of politics to be applied in his home country.
He said social democracy type of politics practiced in Scandinavian countries is better of that American democracy.
On his side Sun Journal Editorial Page Editor Tony Ronzio although America is a land of immigrants, still new resources are required for Somalis.
He said the resources will be used to facilitate programs to make Somalis fit in American standards especially in education.
Ronzio said such program might reduce number of unemployment among Somali community in Lewiston.
Tanzanian journalists are in US for training and site visits in Maine and Washington DC. The program is sponsored by US Agency for International Development.
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