Galkayo — A delegation consisting of traditional elders and businessmen from Jubaland state received a warm welcome at Abdullahi Yusuf International airport in Galkayo on Tuesday where they met with Puntland officials, Garowe Online reports.

Governor of Mudug region Mohamed Yusuf Jama Tigey and Galkayo Mayor Ahmed Ali Salaad, Puntland officials as well as hundreds of citizens welcomed the delegation at Abdullahi Yusuf airport.

The Jubaland delegation briefly spoke to press at Abdullahi Yusuf airport where they stated that they would be discussing continued cooperation and coordination with the Jubaland state building process that is currently ongoing.

Tuesday afternoon, the delegation met with Governor Tigey, Mayor Salaad and the Galkayo city council to discuss how Puntland efforts to establish Jubaland state could be improved.

Governor Tigey who spoke to Radio Garowe's Abdiqani Irbad said that Jubaland delegation officials requested support from the people of Galkayo and Puntland.

"They had very productive discussions with Galkayo intellectuals, businessmen/women and regional officials and they were pleased with the warm welcome and the support that people of Puntland are willing to contribute to Jubaland," said Governor Tigey.

The delegation will travel to Garowe the administrative capital of Puntland in the upcoming days to meet with Punltand President Abdirahman Mohamed Farole and Puntland officials.

Puntland state, the pioneer federal state has supported the making of Jubaland state and has urged other regions in Somalia to congregate and begin forming their respective states.

The Jubaland conference is scheduled for the 23rd of February which Puntland officials and civil society members are expected to attend.