Friday prayers turn violent
By Groum Abate and Tedla Yeneakal
Riot police fired rubber bullets and tear gas at hundreds of stone-throwing Muslims who were protesting on Friday, mourning the blocking of construction work of a mosque two weeks ago around Arat Kilo.
People screamed and fled as the clash began. Several people were bleeding in the streets. The extent of their injuries was not immediately clear.
Police sources say a businessman in the central hub of Merkato was accidentally shot in the leg.
Individuals who were present at the largest mosque in Ethiopia , Anwar Mosque, told Capital that stone throwing protestors were mainly youngsters and there was no deliberate attempt to create an issue over religion.
“All we wanted to do was attend our regular Jumu'ah prayers,” Abdi Awel , a shop owner in Merkato said.
According to some reports, a vehicle was overturned by protesters and windows of city buses have been smashed by individuals who wanted their demands to be respected.
Yasin Ahmed , who was also present at the scene, told Capital that if it were not for the rain, the demonstration could have turned ugly.
Police sources say some people have been put under detention in relation to the violence but declined to indicate the number.
The protest has also been observed at Filwoha Mosque and other mosques around the city but without any casualties or clashes.
It was Tuesday July 25 when officials of Arada Sub-city bulldozed a mosque under construction behind Berhanina Selam Printing Enterprise saying that the construction is illegal.
Muslim residents in the nearby surroundings marched on the streets of what is commonly known as Arat Kilo at the time, protesting the demolition.
Even though the protest was made on Jumu'ah , also known as Friday prayers, a congregational prayer that Muslims hold every Friday afternoon, it ended without any serious causalities.
In Islamic history and tradition, Ethiopia ( Abyssinia or Al-Habasha) is known as the “Haven of the First Migration or Hijra.” For Muslims, Ethiopia is synonymous with freedom from persecution and emancipation from fear.
Ethiopia was a land where its king, Negus or Al-Najashi, was a person renowned for justice and in whose land human rights were cherished.
The first migration [Hijra] of the companions and relatives of the Prophet Muhammad to Ethiopia celebrates the birth of freedom of expression and beliefs, whereas, the second migration of the Prophet Muhammad to the Madinah celebrates the end of oppression.
Banks obtain compensation for war loss -Frustrated businesses appeal to PM for government intervention
By Tedla Yeneakal
Local banks enjoyed a compensation payment from the government as per their guarantee five years ago in relation with the provision of loans for businessmen, who lost their businesses at the port of Assab and Mitsewa , when war erupted between Ethiopia- Eritrea, about eight years back.
Meanwhile, the ill-timed businessmen, who lost their properties because of the war, had appealed to the Prime Minister for intervention sighting the gloomy business atmosphere in which they were forced to live with ever since the war erupted.
Markos Kebede , who chairs the committee of over 500 businessmen, who lost their properties at Assab ports, told Capital that they have suffered massively and have not obtained adequate compensation from the government.
“We have knocked at the doors of a couple of ministries and other relevant organizations requesting the appropriate government interference ever since the sad loss but we have not managed to get any positive response,” he said. “We have not been able to settle our debts and run our businesses due to a national crisis and surely the government has to do something about our situation as citizens of Ethiopia .”
This week, the committee chair forwarded a letter to the Prime Minister, requesting a similar compensation payment enjoyed by the banks that were involved with the stated businesses and to redeem their situations “as special treatment consideration” and make some improvements in the likes of prolonging their debt settlement period as well as looking through some controversial directives of the National Bank and relevant institutions to make the appropriate amendment.
Abebe Demessie Head of Public Relations of the National Bank of Ethiopia told Capital that the issue of compensation for banks was settled with the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development and that it does not directly relate to his office.
According to sources, the banks that benefited from the compensation payment included, the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, Awash Bank, Dashen Bank and Construction and Business Bank.
However, several attempts to find the total official figures of the payments failed and no further explanations was received from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development.
A financial expert approached by Capital said that the compensation sum would amplify their annual earnings. Accordingly, the reimbursement payments to the banks are for Letter of Credit (LC) in what is regarded in financial terms as marginal pays, a percentage of the amount that the bank entered a deal with the creditor.
Ethiopia to help TFG request for lifting of arms embargo
By Eskinder Michael
Though Ethiopia is not in danger of facing eminent war, Fiseha Shawel , Desk Officer for Somalia , says that if Ethiopia is provoked in a way that could disrupt peace, then ‘we will react'.
“We have set some red lines that the United Islamic Courts ( UIC ) should not trespass and fortunately they haven't done that so far. But if they were to do so and if the provocation becomes a direct threat to our national security, we will react,” Fiseha told Capital .
Ethiopia has made clear that it supports the Transitional Federal Government ( TFG ) of Somalia , a move that seems to have angered the UIC . The UIC says that Ethiopia is interfering in Somalia 's affairs, while the latter claims that it was just supporting a neighboring country.
The UIC , led by Islamic extremists and backed by Al-Ithad is hell bent on pushing Ethiopia out of the picture and even asked to declare Jihad on Ethiopia .
Fiseha, who believes that Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin 's one day visit to Baidowa , Somalia was one hundred percent successful, says that the minister had succeeded in helping the three top TFG leaders resolve their problems.
“Following the mediation by the Foreign Minister, the top three TFG leaders – President Abudallahi Yousuf , Prime Minister Mohammed Gedi and Speaker of the House Sheriff Hassan – have decided to reduce the number of ministers,” he added.
The meeting also resolved the matter of who would lead the delegation that would travel to Mogadishu later this month to hold dialogues with leaders of the UIC . “It was agreed that PM Mohammed Gedi would lead the delegation and if not him, someone appointed by him. Sheriff Hassan had earlier felt that he should lead the delegation to Mogadishu .”
Also on August 15-18 2006, the IGAD Ministers of Defense will meet in Nairobi where they would discuss and approve a mission plan that could see an IGAD peace force sent to Somalia .
The detailed mission plan will show how many members the peace force would have, which countries would contribute to the force, what kind of weapons they will be armed with and the duration of their stay.
The matter will be taken on by the committee of IGAD ambassadors on August 20-22, 2006 – also in Nairobi - and the matter will be presented to the AU for another round of approval. The matter will then be presented to the United Nations Security Council where it is highly likely that it will be approved.
“The approval of the IGAD mission will be followed by a request for a lift of arms embargo in favor of the TFG so that the transitional government could protect its institutions,” Fiseha said.
Pleading guilty: businesses closed after 2005 elections re-open after apology
By Tedla Yeneakal
Businesses closed in connection with the May 2005 elections have been re-opened after 9 months after a direct order from Prime Minister Meles Zenawi , Mayor of the caretaker Administration of Addis Ababa, Berhanu Deressa , disclosed.
An economist Capital approached on the basis of anonymity said that the damage to potential sales that the 60 major shops suffered could reach millions in lost revenue not to mention the lost tax for the government.
Several shop owners Capital contacted refused to comment on the re-opening of their businesses saying that it would endanger their future survival.
“I do not want to make a positive or negative remark about the re-opening, I would prefer to abstain from saying anything if you insist on obtaining an answer from me,” a business owner of one of the re-opened shops said.
The shops in Merkato , including the venerable Kagnew Shaleqa and Mearab hotels, are government owned and rented out to the businesses. The shops re-opened after the businesses signed a document apologizing for shutting their shops during the political unrest in 2005.
The 2005 elections, the most controversial elections in the history of Ethiopia, resulted in many deaths with the closure of the shops an issue that arose as a result of the political situation at the time, which the government claimed heightened tension.
MRI diagnostics center in the making
By Eskinder Michael
The need for people to have MRI scans has led to a few people coming together to open the Pioneer Diagnostics Center, where people could get MRI scans, according to Brook Fekadu, General Manager of the center.
MRI is a scanning machine that would look into the formation of a person's tissues. The second of its kind in Ethiopia , MRI was bought from a Chinese-American company and will be operated by a technologist and the results of the scan will be interpreted by a specialized radiologist.
The center is the brainchild of Dr Groum Teklemariam , a Physician graduate of MIT, who is one of three people who together (designing) a complicated MRI machine.
“We needed to raise funds for this capital intensive project and so we came up with five partners to come up with the money we needed. We needed to raise 600,000 USD for the acquisition of the machine and an additional 130,000 USD for operational costs,” Brook says.
According to Brook , the radiologist – Dr Wang - will arrive from a big hospital in China where he will operate the machine until other Ethiopians are trained and are ready to handle the machine.
“As far as we know there are no Ethiopians who can operate an MRI . Our aim is to make sure that there will be enough people who can operate this machine. Dr Wang will arrive in Ethiopia later this month,” Brook said.
The center doesn't plan on keeping the radiologist for more than six months as they believe that an Ethiopian will handle the machine by then.
The radiologist will be assisted by one full time and one part time employee who will be trained to handle the machine.
“We want to raise the awareness of MRI scans in Ethiopia . We also want physicians to understand this machine. We have had an agreement with Harvard University for them to take in an Ethiopian and train them in MRI scanning, but the only thing we are missing at the moment is funding for that project.”
Brook says that the center would charge a patient 2,500 birr for a scan and in some cases more. “There could be times when a patient could need something called a Contrast Chemical Treatment and in such cases, the fee could rise.”
The center will scan patients who are referred from other hospitals and will only perform scans and present the patients with results of the scans so that doctors could have better grounds of treating their patients.
“With time, we have plans of bringing in mammograms and ultrasound machines and not more MRI machines. And of course in time, we have plans to plant as many MRI machines as possible in as many major African cities as possible. And if we succeed to do so, then Addis Ababa will be the MRI hub of Africa ,” Brook says.
The center also boasts a machine that is upgradeable, meaning that if new technology is added to the next generation of MRIs, then this one could be programmed to adapt to the new era of scanning.
Dr Groum works for the Xinao MDT (the Chinese-American company) that produces the MRI machine and is involved in Research and Development activities with the company.
It is believed that the first MRI machine was installed in Ethiopia by the Bethel Hospital . “I know that the one in Bethel Hospital is the first. But that machine is a .2 Tesla and our machine is a .3 Tesla. MRIs work in a magnetic field and the more powerful the magnetic field around the machine the better it performs. Tesla is a unit for magnetic fields,” Brook said.
Brook says that people used to go to South Africa , Kenya , India , Malaysia and other countries just to get MRIs, now they don't need to do that anymore.
Pioneer Diagnostics Center is located on the ground floor of the new Haile Gebreselassie building behind the Alem Building on Bole Road and is expected to be operational by September 11, 2006 , the Ethiopian New Year.
The center is currently building a magnetic room that will serve as the room where the MRI will be installed. Since the machine needs to be in a magnetic room, the room being built by the center is covered by Copper/Steel so that no interference would come into the room or radiation could leave the room.
Dr. Berhanu Nega publishes book from prison
By Groum Abate
Dr. Berhanu Nega , currently under detention in Kaliti prison, a state penitentiary has published a new book on his life and political situation of Ethiopia starting from the Derg era.
The new book entitled “ Yenetsanet Goh Siked ” which literally translates as ‘Dawn of Freedom' is a 600 pages narrative in Amharic and was published in Uganda , Kampala by MM Publishers in May 2006.
The book, written while in detention since November 2005, describes the rise and fall of Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Party (EPRP) which was formed in 1972. Dr. Berhanu was a member. It further describes his life involving politics up to his detention accused of treason and attempted genocide.
EPRP is the first major force to oppose Mengistu Haile Mariam , leader of the Derg regime and President of the Ethiopian Peoples Democratic Republic from 1974 to 1991.
The Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Party (EPRP) was a prominent Marxist organization in Ethiopia during the 1970s. It is also known as “Ihapa” after its Amharic acronym.
Dr. Berhanu Nega was born in 1958 in Debrezeit. At the age of 17, he joined Addis Ababa University. During his freshman year, he participated in a student movement openly advocating for democracy and human right issues. Berhanu was forced to flee the country in order to avoid prosecution by the military authorities. He lived as a refugee in the Sudan for two years until he was granted political asylum by the United States.
While in the US , he completed his undergraduate studies in economics from State University of New York, at New Paltz. He received his Ph.D. in economics from the New School for Social Research, in New York City .
In 1989, Berhanu married Dr. Nardos Minasse , and is the father of two children. In 1994 Berhanu and his family returned to Ethiopia , where he became an entrepreneur and founded the Ethiopian Agro-Maize, Inc., a fertilizer producing company, and Addis Village Family Home Builders, Inc.
Dr. Berhanu Nega was member of the central committee of the main opposition party - the Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD) - when arrested together with other party members in November 2005 by the Ethiopian government following a protest over election irregularities in which over 46 people were killed, and hundreds were wounded.
The book has a cover price of 35 birr.
CRBC close shop in Ethiopia
By Groum Abate
China Road and Bridge Construction (CRBC), a Chinese company, has moved out of Ethiopia allegedly having lost substantial amount of money.
Sources told Capital that a local company, CRBC-Addis merging with Addis Engineering will take-over the projects of CRBC in the coming two weeks.
CRBC-Addis took over the Gashena-Woldiya, Hosaina-Butajira, and Merawi-Gondar road projects that were undertaken by CRBC, the sources said.
The Ethiopian Roads Authority (ERA) signed a contract for the 107 km Gashena-Woldiya road-upgrading project at a cost of over 370.7 million birr recently.
According to our sources CRBC-Addis staff will move to CRBC head office located around Bole-Rwanda shortly.
CRBC is said to have lost over 50 million dollars.
According to ERA officials, CRBC has not officially informed the authority that it is leaving the country passing over the projects at hand to another company.
These officials confirmed to Capital that CRBC-Addis could take over the projects as a successor by power of attorney, but the successor should submit the projects as per the deadline CRBC has agreed to.
CRBC has constructed the 33 kilometer ring road in Addis Ababa among many other projects in the country.
Since the downfall of the Derg regime in 1991, many Chinese firms, including CRBC, have entered Ethiopia and played a major role in the construction of roads around the country, investing millions of dollars.
The Addis Ababa Ring Road, Awash-Hirna, Dire Dawa-Harar, Mereb-Gondar and Alem Gena road projects were constructed by CRBC.
In its pick CRBC used to employ over 2,400 staff, of which 2,200 were local employees.
According to a report compiled by Engineering News Record ( ENR ) and Construction Times, a Shanghai-based industry newspaper, CRBC is the eighth largest construction company in China with general gross contracting revenue of 2.7 billion dollars in the year 2005.
Boost for Ethiopian exports - International Trade Center pilots paprika project
By Andualem Sisay
The newly appointed Executive Director of the International Trade Center UNCTAD/WTO, Ms. Patricia Francis , gave a press briefing on ITC projects in Ethiopia and the overall purpose of her visit on Tuesday August 8.
The current projects and the future of ITC projects in Ethiopia , as well as future development of Africa , was the main focus of the visit, according to Ms. Francis .
According to her briefing ITC has been focusing and working on four major areas at the request of the concerned local government offices to promote the Ethiopian enterprises' products to the international market.
The first major program that ITC based on request of and in consultation with the Ministry of Trade and Industry of Ethiopia has identified is the spice sector.
As part of its intervention through the lTC's initiated Export-led Poverty Reduction Program (EPRP), the center is working a pilot project on paprika. “We have developed international market for the paprika product,” said Ms. Patricia Francis .
This pilot project seeks to support the pepper producers at four selected kebeles of Launfro districts to produce quality paprika varieties and promote the product in international markets through linking them with the Ethiopian Extraction Factory (ESEF).
The project is executed by Melik Silte Farmers Cooperative Union (MSFCU) as an organization owned and managed by the beneficiaries serves and as a lead Trade Support Institution (TSI).
Establishing dependable market link and promoting paprika export, intensifying the production of paprika by increasing the production cycle to two with the introduction of water harvesting technique and other improved farming practice, promoting value-adding activities on paprika produced at the community level, enhancing efficient land allocation-use based on the competitive advantages of paprika produces, and building capacities of the farmers, their cooperatives and the union are the immediate objectives of the project.
“We are giving technical assistances to the farmers to change their ways of production. We are bringing irrigation to the project to double their production,” said Ms. Patricia Francis at the press briefing. ITC is also working with FAO to look through the quality of the seed that goes into production.
Market linking of producers with extraction factories and the international market, provision of inputs (selected seed, fertilizer, agrochemical and other inputs), capacity building of farmers, cooperative union of agricultural and extension workers of zonal and woreda agricultural offices, and project management are some of the components of the project.
This could be a new experience as it is empowering the farmers and their union in owning and executing the project and sustaining its impacts, according to Ms. Patricia Francis .
The second program of ITC in Ethiopia is called Access and focuses on women entrepreneurs to help them work at an international level. The ITC 's third program involves 12 Ethiopian leather companies to look at the branding and positioning of Ethiopian leather products such as shoes, hand bags, and the like from marketing and merchandising perspectives.
The fourth project that ITC is working on is the coffee production with the government on areas of processing, branding and marketing of Ethiopian coffee and is planning to build a web-site for Ethiopian coffee.
During her stay in Addis, Ms. Patricia Francis also signed a cooperation agreement of a two-year program with the Economic Commission of Africa that is hoped will bring practical and pragmatic help that the African business community needs. She also held talks with AU officials, WHO, and both Addis Ababa and Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce members on how to extend relationships and work together in the future.
ITC works at three different levels: policy level with the governments, with associations with large members, and at enterprise level to help them gain access to the international market.
No clear picture on Somalia case says opposition
By Eskinder Michael
Since there is no clear picture of what the situation is like in Somalia , it is difficult for us to take a stand in this regard, Dr Merera Gudina , former Chairman of the ONC told Capital .
Dr Merera , who is a member of parliament, says that the only way he learns about the situation between Ethiopia and Somalia is via the media which “doesn't reveal the exact information”.
“The media says that Ethiopian troops have entered Somalia and the government says that they haven't done so. This is confusing for us and thus we can't take a stand,” he said.
Dr Merrera said that the government has the responsibility of discussing the situation with them [the opposition parties] so that they could have a clear idea of what is going on. “If we come up with a stand on a situation we have no clear idea about, we could hurt the political stand of our country,” he added.
“In other countries, when situations like these occur, the government talks with the opposition and they work together on the matter. As parliamentarians, we have the right to be informed about such matters,” he said.
Last week, Ethiopian Foreign Minister His Excellency Ato Seyoum Mesfin made a surprise visit to Baidowa, a Somali town bordering Ethiopia , where he held talks with His Excellency Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed, President of the Transitional Federal Government, Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Gedi and Speaker of the House Representatives of the Transitional Somali Government. The talks were dubbed successful.
Islamic extremists have taken over Mogadishu while the transitional government is in Baidowa.
On August 4, 2006 , the Security Council had reiterated the AU's support to the Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs), as the legitimate authority in Somalia . The Council welcomed the outcome of the Extraordinary Session of the IGAD Council of Ministers and stressed, in this respect, the need for the speedy implementation of the decisions that were taken, including the immediate resumption of genuine and active dialogue between the Transitional Federal Government ( TFG ), the Union of Islamic Courts and other parties, within the framework of the Transitional Federal Charter.
Private sector- major actor in economic development
By Andualem Sisay
On the 61 st council meeting of the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce, held to discuss a new organizational structure and annual plans and programs, State Minister for Federal Inland Revenue Melaku Fanta indicated the significance of the private sector for the development of the country.
“One of the contributing factors towards Ethiopia 's effort to be a self-sustaining and confident nation is the active participation of the private sector engaged in all areas of the economy including trade, agriculture, and industry,” said the State Minister. “The private sector in Ethiopia needs to be strong in such a manner that all efforts of the government, business enterprises and development actors create the necessary synergy that leads to rapid and sustained economic development future generations can rely and build upon.”
According to the State Minister, The government is ready to do its part and provide the necessary policy supports to the chambers and sectorial associations in their endeavors to serve member enterprises.
Creating fertile ground for the organization of Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectorial Associations and evaluating the past six months performance of the chamber are among the major issues discussed in the two-day meeting held from August 10 and 11, 2006.
“My belief is that the chamber system in the country will surely be strengthened and expanded and correspondingly manage to discharge its responsibility in a degree which measures up to national, local and its own requirements,” said Ato Aschalew Haile, President of the ECC , in his opening statement. “We all will ardently face forthcoming challenges, concert efforts and have success stories but only if all our actions are coordinated, we have a common vision and concern for the common good and top of all our moves are based on trust and cooperation.”
Describing the atmosphere the private sector needs to achieve and what is expected of it, “I think we all recognize the returns of an active and dynamic private sector, we need to ensure that the enabling environment is there,” said Mr. Joe Feeney, Officer in charge of UNDP.
UNDP has been working with the Chamber of Commerce in relation to research, assessment study of WTO, and enhancing communication strategy between Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and city chambers, According to Mr. Joe Feeney . “But the reality is that the success will be determined by the contribution of ordinary Ethiopians involved in the business sector,” he added.
On the ECC 61 st council meeting organized under the slogan of Economic Growth, Peace, and Prosperity, more than 30 presidents and secretaries from the regional Chambers Of Commerce and Sectorial Associations participated.
Road Authority signs 206 mln birr road project
By Groum Abate
The Ethiopian Roads Authority (ERA) signed a contract agreement worth over 206 million birr with two local contractors for the upgrading of the Shashemene-Dodola road on Friday August 11.
According to the authority, the project is incorporated under Nazareth -Assela-Dodola and Shashemene-Goba road upgrading venture.
The construction of this road, located in the southern part of the country and owned by the Ethiopian Roads Authority, will be carried out in two phases. The first phase of 35 kilometers will be executed at a cost of 106,660,479.33 birr by Berehe Hagos general works contractor of Ethiopia .
The second phase, which is 34.3 kilometers will be constructed by Alemayehu Ketema general works contractor, with an amount of 149,498,892.84.
The construction will be fully financed by the government of Ethiopia .
The successful bidder for the construction supervision of these projects has not yet been announced as the bid is in process.
The actual construction work of the project will commence in September this year and according to the agreement the previously graveled Shashemene-Dodola road will be upgraded into double surface treated asphalt.
Dire Dawa: A city in mourning
By Groum Abate
Dechatu River burst its banks last week by as much as 200 metres on either side, destroying entire buildings and, in some cases, sweeping away homes, trees and fences. The death toll is expected to climb as some 300 people are reported missing with 3,000 displaced.
On the night of August 5, 2006 , floodwaters crashed through the doors of people living near the banks of the river, Solomon and his family were dragged out of their home and plunged into a bitter fight for survival.
The priority of Solomon 's parents was to rescue their four children, soundly asleep that night.
“The last thing I remember was that my parents were rushing to save us” says 6-year-old Solomon . But, their parents were unable to withstand the power of the rushing waters.
Solomon remembers that he was drowning, but somehow managed to grab a piece of debris that was floating in the flood waters.
With the piece of wood, he managed to remain afloat, unconscious in the water for hours, when people from the surrounding area that went out for help found him.
He is now staying at his friend's house. The family that took him in has also lost relatives in the flood that devastated Dire Dawa.
On Sunday, relatives and friends of Solomon 's family, begun to look for his family at hospitals and temporary camps, but so far without success. For Solomon , it looks like it was a lucky escape.
According to one of Solomon 's relatives their neighbors, a family of four, were all swept away by the flood. Her eyes brimming with tears, the neighbor said, “I went to the hospital to identify the bodies of Solomon 's family, but didn't have to stay long to identify them, as I knew almost everybody that was wrapped in the white sheets.”
Solomon 's brother and two sisters were under ten years of age.
Victims of the flood are staying at the Afetissa School , which has been converted into a temporary camp for the displaced people of ravaged Dire Dawa.
Dire Dawa is in shock from the disaster that ruined many families and businesses and needs time to come to terms with its loss. Many of the displaced people are women and children. Police are recovering bodies of the missing everyday.
Burials for the deceased started on Tuesday in the presence of relatives, loved ones, and friends and even passersby who stopped to pay their respects.
Prime Minister Meles Zenawi visited the disaster stricken areas on Monday afternoon.
United Nations relief agencies are also rushing emergency food stocks and supplies such as buckets and water purification tablets.
WFP released enough food rations to feed 10,000 people for a month, while UNICEF is sending 2,000 family kits to the affected area.
WFP has already distributed tents, blankets, jerry cans and plastic cups and plates.
UN agencies warned that the risk of flooding remains high because heavy rain continues to fall in the highlands outside Dire Dawa, Ethiopia 's sixth-largest city and home to about 400,000 people. It is situated about 500km east of Addis Ababa and is an important railway hub.
SNNPR plans multiple FM stations-Broadcast Authority issues community radio license
By Eskinder Michael
The South Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Regional State Mass Media Organization (SNNPR SMMO), as part of its five year plan, has announced its plans to start radio broadcasts by launching six FM stations.
It was reported that FM studio and transmission equipment worth 1.5 million USD has been dispatched.
Zami Public Connection reportedly recruited and trained local staff to run the station, including technicians, journalists, and administrators.
In related news, the Ethiopian Broadcast Authority (EBA) has issued a license for community radio stations in the SNNPR, Sisay Melese, Public Relations Officer of the authority told Capital .
The Kori Community Radio was given to the Kori community in the Amaru Special Woreda in the SNNPR after the community responded to the EBA's advertisement on public media.
According to Sisay, the authority had run an announcement looking for community radio stations to start as pilot projects and was ready to give four or five licenses; but only one community responded to the ad.
The authority plans to run another advertisement in the coming few weeks to look for more community stations.
The EBA this week put in place a system to probe and pass decisions over public complaints on radio and television stations. According to Sisay, the authority would listen to complaints of the public on issues related to rights violation, distorted information etc.
“The complaint should first be lodged to the medium that made the alleged mistake. If the complaint doesn't receive a response within 10 days or doesn't agree with the response given by the medium, then the complaint could be taken to the authority. The authority will then look into the matter and give its own decision about it,” Sisay said.
A committee that would look into such complaints is being formed by the authority. The public can forward the complaints only within two months from the transmission of the program.
If a program is found guilty of error, it will be made to compensate the person by giving equal air time or to air a corrective program. If the program has violated legal provisions, it could be banned from transmission.
The program in question, if found guilty of other crimes, could also be taken to court.
Ethio-German venture gives training on promotion
By Tedla Yeneakal
ECBP (Engineering Capacity Building Program) organized the first training seminar pertaining to the methodology of value chain promotion in Ethiopia from August 7 to 11 at the ILRI center in Addis Ababa .
The seminar addressed the value chain promoters and its partners, including representatives from six regions, so as to constitute the future core group of chain experts in the country, according to a press release from ECBP.
“It aims at providing an overview of the essential concept and methodology of a value chain promotion approach in development assistance and its direct action oriented application, together with the planning of the next implementation steps,” the release said.
It follows an interactive method, in which the presentation of concepts, facts and methodology alternates with exercises to apply to the tools to real world situations participants are involved in, the organizers of the training unveiled.
“The competitiveness of a national economy is not only a question of the entrepreneurial and technical capability of individual enterprises. It is the combination of favorable conditions that allows enterprises to get more competitive,” explained the organizers.
The value chain, as part of the Private Sector is one of the key ideas of ECBP. It considers the private sector to be the catalyst of development and will promote it through reform of the technical and vocational training system, including non-formal education as well as reform of universities' technical faculties, and by strengthening quality management and production standards.
ECPB is one of the largest concept programs in the world and costs a total of 180 million euros. The Ethiopian and Germany governments are to put up half of the total sum each.
Airports Enterprise boasts over 203mln birr projects
By Eskinder Michael
The Ethiopian Airports Enterprise has ended this fiscal year by undertaking projects worth over 203 million birr at various airports all over the country.
The enterprise completed 17 specific projects it had started in the past fiscal year. The Enterprise announced that it undertook these projects so that the services provided by the airports would meet international standards.
The projects included construction of runways, roads, terminals, various buildings, installation of field lighting and electro-mechanical maintenance work, among others.
The construction of the runway, and taxiway for the Bahirdar Airport and maintenance of terminal buildings of the Diredawa and Addis Ababa International airports have been completed. Other related projects are expected to be finalized in two years.
The Mekelle, Diredawa, Jimma and Bahirdar main branches should also be finished in the coming fiscal year. The enterprise recently awarded the parking lots at Bole to two local companies for 1.2 million birr. The parking lots were previously administered by the enterprise itself.
The Bole International Airport parking lot was awarded to Spiral Engineering Trading for a total amount of 1,142,328 birr. The second parking lot - Gergi parking, was awarded to Addis Parking for 58,000 birr.
The enterprise is also constructing airports in Humera and Jijiga. The Jijiga airport is located about 13 km out of the city and should be completed by the middle of next fiscal year.
The Ethiopian Airport Enterprise administers all air ports in Ethiopia .
Guennet Hotel to shine bright - secures budget for upgrading
By Andualem Sisay
After seven years of planning, Guennet Hotel's to be upgraded into a four star hotel and will partially host the Catering and Tourism Training Institute (CTTI) with a total budget of 25 million birr.
The project is divided in two phases. The first phase is transferring the upper compound of the hotel that consists of the bed rooms to the new campus of the institute for a budget of seven million birr and the second phase is constructing a 6 storey hotel building with the remaining 18 mln birr.
“Due to the shortage of classrooms, the institute is now giving training in four fields to about 130 students from around the country,” says Neway Zera Yohannes, general manager of CTTI.
He told Capital that by looking deeply into their problem and the need for well-educated hotel and tourism professionals for the country, the government granted them Guennet Hotel for expanding the institute seven years ago. However, the work on changing the site has not been started for lack of funds.
The current compound of the institute has only four classrooms and 25 teachers. The maximum number of students for one region of the country that gets the chance to study in one course is not more than four. However, when the expansion project completes, the institute will be able to double its overall capacity, according to Neway.
He further told Capital that currently the design of the new institute is completed and a tender would be launched soon for the construction of the hotel.
The upgrading of the institute is expected to be completed in about two to three years.
CTTI was established 36 years ago during the emperor's period under the name of Ethiopian Tourism Organization.
The institute offers different courses in the regular, extension, and short-term training programs. The regular Diploma program takes from one up to three years and the whole cost entire expense for the students is covered by the government. The regular students are recruited from across the country according to strict academic criteria. Candidates for both the regular and the extension programs are required to have obtained a minimum of 2.0 GPA in their Ethiopian School Leaving Certificate Examination (ESLCE) or Ethiopian General Secondary Education Certificate (EGSEC) and should pass the entrance examination given by the institute.
Food Preparation, Hotel Management, Food and beverage Service, Travel Operation, Tourist guiding, Food and Beverage Control are some of the fields of training given by CTTI.
There are only two universities that offer degree programs in tourism and hotel management; Awassa University in Hotel Management and Gondar University offers a degree program in Tourism Management.
The colonial building is a quaint 65 year old former landmark, erected by the administration of Italian East Africa . It was used as the central post office during the short lived Italian occupation. This is the first time Guennet Hotel is achieving a star rating.
IFJ urges the release of 20 journalists
By Andualem Sisay
The International Federation of Journalists on Friday demanded the release of 20 journalists who have been jailed during the last nine months in Ethiopia for political reasons and called on other world leaders to pressure the Ethiopian government for their release as well.
According to the press release by IFJ in Brussels , 17 journalists were arrested during the violent suppression of anti-government riots that followed the November 2005 elections in Ethiopia . The journalists are charged with treason and could face possible death sentences or life imprisonment. The journalists have refused to be defended in court because of the political nature of their arrests and detentions.
"We strongly protest against the blind repression of freedom of expression and demand the immediate and unconditional release of all the journalists held in Ethiopia , since there is no solid evidence against the charges," said Gabriel Baglo , Director of the Africa Office of the IFJ. "The government of Meles Zenawi holds the sad record of the country with the highest number of imprisoned journalists, as well as the country with the largest number of journalists in exile in Africa ."
Among the detained journalists is Serkalem Fasil , who was pregnant when she was arrested and subsequently gave birth in prison. She has yet to receive proper medical attention for herself and for her baby. Fasil's husband, journalist Eskinder Nega has also languished in prison since November 2005 with other hundreds of political detainees.
A number of the journalists and political prisoners are suffering from health problems due to the poor prison conditions. According to reports, a significant number of the prisoners were absent from a June 21 court hearing. Prison police stated that the journalists were sick and some of them were hospitalized at the time of the hearing.
"The Ethiopian Free Press Journalists Association (EFJA) is completely disbanded; there is no independent media in Ethiopia, as most independents journalists have gone underground and about 100 journalists are in exile, including EFJA President Kifle Mulat," said the IFJ's Baglo, who was part of the mission.
"We strongly call on the African Union Chairperson, President Denis Sassou-Nguesso of the Republic of Congo , and the Chairman of the African Union Commission, Alpha Omar Konare, to pressure the Ethiopian government to release all detained journalists unconditionally," he added. "We also called on US President George Bush, British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and European Union President José Manuel Barroso who support the Ethiopian government, to make sure that press freedom, freedom of expression, freedom of association and human rights are respected in Ethiopia."
Prison sources said that Kaliti prison, where the prisoners are held, is at its worst during the Ethiopian rainy season when wild mice invade the cells to avoid the harsh weather and bring with them contagious diseases. Most of the cells are made of corrugated iron sheets, which are extremely cold when it rains and extremely hot during the dry season.
The IFJ represents over 500,000 journalists in more than 110 countries.
Star seals cement site
By Eskinder Michael
The Amhara regional Rural Energy and Mine Resources Development Expansion Agency has granted MIDROC and Star Business Group sites for the construction of cement factories. Shortages of cement in the country have seen prices for a bag of cement rise constantly.
The agency is also preparing to grant sites to three more companies which want to enter the cement sector. The sites to be given to the five companies are located in East Gojjam and North Shoa zones where raw materials for cement production are said to be available in abundance. The starting of the factories in these areas will ensure the effective use of the abundant raw materials necessary for producing cement.
The two companies are close to securing the plots of land not far from each other in the Dejen area in the Amhara Regional State , 229Km north of Addis Abeba .
MIDROC and Star decided to enter the cement market, after retail prices of cement hit the roof with a quintal of cement reaching 200 birr. It has been some time now since the state owned cement factories proved they couldn't satisfy the growing construction market. Muger, Messobo and Dire Dawa have a total production capacity of 1.6 million tons of cement a year, with Muger producing 900,000 tons.
MIDROC has applied to get 6,000sqm plot on a 50-year lease deal. When the factory is set up in Dejen, at an estimated cost of 2.4 billion birr, it is estimated that it will produce 300 tons of cement per day.
Star Business Group reportedly applied for a concession right of 5,000sqm on which it would be able to produce 200 tons of cement a day. The Agency would also provide the necessary support for the investors, adding that the companies could begin construction in the coming three months.
The Agency has reportedly issued licenses to seven investors with a registered capital of 4.4 million birr in the just-ended fiscal year. They would engage in the production of raw materials and construction materials.
Upon going fully operational, the projects in Awi, North Shoa and South Wollo zones would create 236 permanent and casual jobs, according reports from the agency.
Star Business Group transport, distribute sugar and rent huge warehouses in Merkato.
|