ERA Closes Deal with Road Contractors

ERA will sign an agreement with two road contractors, Hagose Berhe and Terra Construction. The authority signs the first agreement with Hagose Berhe Construction for the upgrading of the standard of a 160Km road. With the accomplishment of this project, a link will be created between three regions, Oromia, Beneshangule and Gambela. ERA will sign the second contract with Terra Construction. This project aims to link five  rural cities, that is, Yallo, Besebir, Hulga, Chrecheri, and Mehoni respectively.

ETC face Service Failure

Ethiopian Telecommunication Corporation reveals that the current power interruptions in the capital has affected its service. The power failure in the city caused the interruption of telephone services in some parts of the city. The service failure in the corporation occurred  because of a malfunctioning of the network distribution and division devices. The corporation has planted mobile generators in some selected areas of the city to solve the current problem. But the service failure might continue till the power shortages in the country are solved.

“KOKA” Dam on the Verge of Spilling

Ato Asfaw  Dingamo, minister of Water Resources  revealed in parliament in a 9 months report that “KOKA” dam,  which supplies drinking water to Addis Ababa, is spilling. The minister said that unless the government take speedy measures on the problem, water pollution is going to affect the health of the city’s dwellers. As he already stated to parliament previously, the current water pollution occurred because of the poor agricultural habits of the surrounding community. The number of farmers living in the peripheries is increasing from time to time and the environmental degradation also is increasing at an alarming rate. In the rainy season, the soil eroded by the rain and brought into the dam has urea in its content. Thus the government should take strict measures to keep the public from harm.   

Government Allocates Land for Skyscrapers

The Ministry of Works and Urban Development of Ethiopia, in collaboration with three Chinese companies, is going to boom real estate in Addis Ababa. The real estate project is going to be realized starting in the coming Ethiopian Year. The new buildings will include 200 high-rise buildings that will be 20-30 stories tall. The project requires 10 billion Birr for financing and  will take five to ten years to materialize.

Trade Fair Exhibition Opens

The 11th Addis Ababa Trade Fair opened on Wednesday at Addis Ababa Exhibition Center. Mr Zewge Gemane, general manger of Century Promotion Service, stated that the Trade Fair is a mark of competitiveness for sustainable development. At the opening of the Exhibition, a representative of the caretaker administration, Mayor Mr Weldetensay said that the fair brought the participation of various businesses and industries and some small cottage enterprises from Italy, Pakistan and Sudan. The Exhibition closes on April 26, 2008.

NSA Executes Development Projects

Over 2000 Non State Actors (NSA) are  executing a development project at a cost of nine billion Birr, research has indicated. Raya Abagudu explains in his research that NSA is executing development projects in Oromia, Amhara, Tigray, Southern Nation and Nationalities People States.  The NSA project is mainly engaged in activities like Enhancing Public awareness on various issues, executing various development projects and supplying basic services to the community. Raya Abagudu stated that there are 394 projects designed to work with children at an estimated cost of over 3 billion Birr. 

Consumer Association Urges Government support

Four consumers associations complained that they are no longer in a position to offer services to members. They blamed this on  the lack of pledged support from the government. The associations, named by Yemadot, Serto Melewt, and Maleda Universal say the limited financial resources  prevent them from carrying out their missions. The chairperson of the four associations told the Daily Monitor on Tuesday that unless credit and storage facilities were obtained as has been promised by the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MOTI), it would be difficult for them to achieve their expectations. Public Relation Officer of the MOTI, Ato Hailu Ababa, said that the Ministry was looking for strategies on how to support these consumer associations through the Ministry’s branch offices and cooperative organizations.