Potable Water Projects Operational

Some 67 of the 125 potable water projects being implemented in Gambella state, at a cost of 25 million Br, have already been completed and begun providing services. The projects include, among others, the digging of 56 medium and deep-scale water wells and the development of 11 springs.

Earthquake Strikes in SNP State

An earthquake struck the Aboso area near Yigralem Town in the Sidama Zone of the Southern Nations Peoples State last Saturday. The earthquake measured 4.9 on the Richter Scale and struck around 11:08 pm local time, according to Elias Lewi (Phd), a researcher with the Geophysics Science Astronomy Institute of Addis Abeba University. No casualties were reported, but there was damage inflicted on both residential and commercial buildings, the wereda administration said.

Condom Sales Hit Record Highs

Sales of condoms by DKT Ethiopia, through its Young Marketers programme, hit a record high compared to the last 20 years, according to DKT and the German Foundation for World Population, an NGO partner in the Young Marketers programme. Since its inception, the Young Marketers programme has sold a total of 52.5 million condoms in Ethiopia, and netted total revenue of 140,000 dollars. In 2010 alone, they sold 22.4 million condoms and generated one million Br in revenue.

Ethiopian to Open Hub in Lusaka

Ethiopian Airlines is set to open a new hub in Lusaka, Zambia, which will serve as a southern African regional centre.  Zambia had been selected to host the airline´s regional centre due to increased traffic and its geographical location, said Tewolde Gebremariam, CEO of Ethiopian. “I am pleased to say that we plan to open our new hub in Zambia. This will be the third hub after the headquarters and another one which opened in Lome, Togo, last year.” 

PM Welcomes Back Israel: Trained Cadets

Prime Minister Meles Zenawi welcomed home 20 marine cadets who had been trained in Israel. Producing capable professionals in the field of maritime shipping is vital to support the economic development of the country and enhance its competitiveness, Ethiopian Shipping Lines stated. The training programme was coordinated and sponsored through collaboration between Bahir Dar University, the Israeli Embassy, Ethiopian Shipping lines, and YCF (a private company).

Election Board Gives out 10m Br to Parties

The National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) has begun the disbursement of 10 million Br released by the government for political parties. The NEBE will distribute the funds allocated according to the specifications of the proclamation issued to support the daily activities of political parties. In order to implement accordingly, the board will disperse the money among 10 political parties based on the number of seats each party has in the Parliament.

Amhara Credit Gives over 65m Br in Loans

The Amhara Credit and Saving Enterprise’s North Shoa Zone branch office loaned over 65 million Br to customers during the last seven months, it said. More than 18,900 customers who are engaged in the textile and garment industry, animal fattening, and small scale trade have benefited from the service, said Hailemarkos Chacha, office representative.

SNP Towns Get Quality Control Centres for Coffee

The Southern Nations Peoples State’s two coffee quality control and certification centres have begun rendering service in Wolayita Sodo and Bonga towns, according to the state’s marketing and cooperative bureau. The two centres cost the state 3.9 million Br to build. The centres will give coffee growing farmers in the nearby areas easier access to quality control and qualification services, said Ayana Abeto, head of the Bureau Government Communication Affairs Department.

Embassy to Inaugurate Chancery, Residence

The Ethiopian Embassy in Khartoum, Sudan is going to inaugurate a complex built with an outlay of over 80 million Br. The Ethiopian Government decided to create an asset in Sudan by constructing a chancery and embassy residence building, according to Ali Abdo, Ethiopia's ambassador to Sudan. The complex will also undergo a facelift.