ADDIS ABABA
Ireland
vows to support peace process
The
Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Brian Cowen T.D. (M.P.)
visited Eritrea and Ethiopia on Monday 5th April and Tuesday 6th April
2004. During his visit Minister Cowen lead a delegation of European
Union troika mission in support of the Ethio - Eritrean peace process,
particularly focusing on the issues of border demarcation and
cooperation with the UN.
During his visit Minister
Cowen drew attention to the key role of the United Nations Mission in
Ethiopia and Eritrea [UNMEE] in the international effort to bring
lasting peace between Ethiopia and Eritrea. In recognition of this,
Minister Cowen announced that Ireland will contribute ₤40,OOO in
response to a recent request for additional financial support for
UNMEE's demining capacity. UNMEE's de-miners undertake the essential
work of keeping roads in the Temporary Security Zone and adjacent
areas safe for use by UNMEE patrols and the local population.
In recognition of the
importance of good governance as a primary tool in ending poverty,
Minister Cowen announced that Development Cooperation Ireland will
allocate ₤12.3 million over the next three years (2004 to 2006) to a
new governance support programme.
Also during his visit to
Addis Ababa, Minister Cowen visited a community -based HIV/AlDS
programme run by the Medical Missionaries of Mary that has received
support from Development Cooperation Ireland (the Irish Government's
international development agency).
Special envoy for UN’s S.G reviewed the
humanitarian situation
Mr.
Martti Ahtisaari ended his 6-day visit that runs from 2 to 6th April.
During his stay in Ethiopia, Mr Ahtisaari reviewed the humanitarian
situation and the measures taken by the Government and relief agencies
to break the cycle of hunger and poverty.
The United Nations
Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Humanitarian Crisis in the
Horn of Africa is accompanied by his adviser, Mr. Antti Pentikainen,
Mr. Tahir Nour, WFP Reporting Officer, Mr. Eric Laroche, Deputy
Director UNICEF Emergencies Division and Mr. Olla Hassen, OCHA
Humanitarian Affairs Officer.
Organization carrying out three-year 301 mln. Br
projects
More than 301 million
birr had been earmarked for the implementation of a three-year project
by the Ethiopian Agricultural Research Organization (EARO). EARO
Public Relations head Mekonnen Abebe said yesterday that the
organization has given priority this year to activities related to the
importation and introduction of technologies.
He said EARO will carry
out various activities in the production of improved crop varieties,
the supply of technologies as well as food security. Special attention
would be given to activities aimed at benefiting pastoral communities,
he added. According to Mekonnen, 1,556 pilot research packages will be
conducted under 38 programmes, of which 608 are new.
AMHARA
12
projects under construction
The construction
of 12 projects was being carried out in East Gojjam Zone of the Amhara
State this year at a cost of over 3.6 million birr, the zonal Finance
and Planning Brach Office said. Office Head Bedilu Negatu said
yesterday that the projects, which focus in the areas of agriculture,
education and health, were being carried out in 14 woredas of the
zone. He said seven of the projects were new while the remaining is
still outstanding.
The government, the
Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA), the state’s rural
development coordinating office and the local people covered the cost
for the execution of the projects.
The projects were
expected to be finalized in the coming June, he said.
Meanwhile, the Holeta
town Administration in West Shoa Zone of the Oromia state says it is
undertaking various development projects at a cost of 2.7 million
birr. Administration chief, Bedassa Jenfessa said the projects include
the construction of 15-km alleys, 20-km sewerage canals and a bus
terminal.
TIGRAY
Office builds low-cost residential houses with
2.9 mln. Br
The
Tahitay Adiyabo Woreda displaced people rehabilitation office of the
Tigray State said that 280 families who have lost their houses during
the Eritrean war of aggression have been provided with low-cost
residential houses constructed with the support of the office.
Office head Hailu
Taddesse said that the new houses were built in Badime, Gemahalo and
Ademite Kebeles of the woreda with an outlay of 2.9 million birr
allocated by the government. The construction of 891 residential
houses launched at a cost of 11.8 million birr was also being speeded
up, he said. According to the head, residential houses and various
institutions were destroyed during the Eritrean war of aggression.
OROMIA
Authority launches 188 km road construction
The
Gimbi Brach Office of the Oromia State Roads Authority disclosed that
it has commenced construction of 188 km roads at a cost of 2.7 million
birr. Branch manager representative, Birhanu Lemessa told WIC that
roads being undertaken since last month include 178km outstanding and
the remaining new projects. The roads being built enable farmers to
get agricultural inputs and sell their products by linking rural
villages to the urban centers, he said.
SNNPRS
Health
station, post to benefit 145,000 people
Eleven
health projects were being constructed in Gamp Gofa Zone of Southern
Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ State at a cost of 11.7 million
birr, the Zonal Health Desk announced. Desk Head Meka Metekia said on
Tuesday December 9, that the projects are expected to benefit 145,000
people. The projects include the construction of four health stations
and seven health posts. Meka said the health posts are expected to go
operational next January and the health stations in a period of two
years. He said the fund for the execution of the projects was provided
by the government and donor organizations.
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Tuesday
April 13' 2004
