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Anbessa bus proposes 75pc increase on faresBy Tedla Yeneakal The management of Anbessa City Bus Enterprise has submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, to look into its subsidy formula, as well as enable it to raise the current fare on buses by 75%, sources disclosed to Capital . General Manager of the Enterprise , Haileleule Tadesse told Capital that subsidies have been declining in the past few years but refused to comment on the proposal made to increase the existing bus fares in the city by 75%.
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Anbessa bus proposes 75pc increase on faresBy Tedla Yeneakal The management of Anbessa City Bus Enterprise has submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, to look into its subsidy formula, as well as enable it to raise the current fare on buses by 75%, sources disclosed to Capital . General Manager of the Enterprise , Haileleule Tadesse told Capital that subsidies have been declining in the past few years but refused to comment on the proposal made to increase the existing bus fares in the city by 75%. According to informed sources, the need to increase the bus fares came about after the current oil price increase, which has put pressure on the enterprise, coupled with the subsidy cutoff to the enterprise by more than 50%. The current Ethiopian year's subsidy of 18.9 million birr is insufficient to run the company. Anbessa City Bus Enterprise, which is a public enterprise controlled by the city government,has been subsidized 0.10 birr per kilometer for every passenger. But some claim that the enterprise is profitable and at some point,the enterprise has been said to have given bonus to its employees after it secured a profit. The seating capacity of a city bus may not be more than 30 persons. Yet, the Enterprise allow an amazing number of people on board, resulting in the untimely deterioration of city buses. Transport ranks first in national development expenditure in Ethiopia . It absorbs at least 30% of resources. Established in 1943, Anbessa City Bus Service Enterprise is a non-profit making organization, currently serving 600,000 people daily through its 463 DAF buses, with a minimum ticket price of 0.25 birr per trip. Anbessa gives bus transport service for the city of Addis Ababa and the surrounding areas from 6:15 a.m up to 9:00 p.m in about 93 routes. The House of Federation said that it is preparing a new budget subsidy formula that would possibly look into the funding of the enterprise. The previous budget subsidy formulas were prepared by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development and a study has been launched to enable the House establish a standing committee that would be responsible for the preparation of a budget subsidy formula in the future. Anbessa City Bus Enterprise recently lost millions of birr due to the damage of some 103 buses in rioting. Three buses were burnt. 36 students expelled from Oromia universities Jimma University gutted by fireOne dead at Adama By Groum Abate Two buildings housing student dormitories in Jimma University , have been burned down after ethnic violence erupted at the university. Students who were at the university when the incident occurred told Capital that the clash erupted two weeks ago and led to the torching of the two dormitories. The students said that fire destroyed the boy's dormitory commonly known as Comoros , and half of the 4-storey building hosting the girl's dormitory and referred to as Babylon . They also claim that students have been injured throughout the week by the violence. The students have also added that five students, out of which four are regular students, were expelled after they were found guilty of instigating the violence. In related news, violence also flared at the Adama University , (formerly known as Nazareth Technical College and Adama Technical Teachers College ) with ethnically agitated chaos reportedly claiming a student's life, and injuring several others. Members of the regional police squad, present at the scene anonymously told Capital that some Oromo students from the institution spontaneously declared that the land belongs to them and told students from other tribes to leave. “Non-Oromo students left the compound when regional police tried to stop the violence saying they are biased and support the Oromo students,” the regional police member said. “It was not all the Oromo students that were behind the act, it is only one faction. Some students were even holding an I.D of the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), which is an illegal party.” According to reports, several students and members of the Adama police have been injured by iron batons in a clash amongst themselves and police, leaving a student shot dead amidst the conflict that took place during the whole of this week. Sources also disclosed that classes have so far not resumed and have been closed for more than a week now. Various attempts to talk to officials of the university were unsuccessful, as the management was on continuous meetings, figuring out the steps that should be taken. According to some non-Oromo students, they are unfairly treated by the teachers and staff of the Adama University simply because of their ethnic background and have called for fair treatment. Established in September 1993, Adama University is the first institute in the country to offer degree programs for technical and business teachers. The university adopted its current name last year in July, 2005. In related development, 31 students have been expelled after police provided evidence to the school administration that these students purposely instigated the chaos that left many students wounded. The conflict that broke out between Oromo and Amhara students has also caused over 500 freshmen to leave the compound and resettle at a nearby church, claiming that they fear for their lives. These students have now found a solution after the vice president of the university went to talk them out of the church. According to students at the university, they agreed on the conditions the vice president outlined and went back to their campus. The students have now resumed classes after a week long interruption. Machetes and daggers were used in the clash. Police arrived late but were able to control the violence. Midroc's first cement shipment due in late SeptemberBy Tedla Yeneakal Following an agreement between the government and Midroc Derbaa Cement Factory two months ago, sources disclosed that the first shipment of cement is due to arrive in Addis Ababa in late September, through the port of Djibouti . According to sources, more than 25 vehicles have been sent to Djibouti late Wednesday to facilitate the arrangement for the consignment. Midroc Derbaa has signed a contract to import and supply close to 1.5 million tons of cement annually for the coming two years. Midroc Derbaa will be importing around 100,000 metric tons of cement and has already completed the necessary requirements to bring in the first shipment through Djibouti . Furthermore, sources disclosed that the ports have responded to Midroc Derbaa this week, affirming their full cooperation with the company to get the cement on time and as efficiently as possible. In addition, Midroc Derbaa will also be bringing in 800 trucks to address the transport demands that will arise during the process. “ Midroc Derbaa Cement Factory, when completely built in the coming two and a half years, will have the capacity to produce around 2.1 million metric tons of cement annually. In the meantime, we are installing mobile cement factories in Dejen and Derba to facilitate that process,” the owner of Midroc Derbaa, Sheik Mohammed Al-Amoudi had said, when he signed the agreement with the government on behalf of his company a couple of months ago. Currently, a bag of cement from Mugher Cement Factory is being retailed at 220 birr and from Mesebo Cement Factory at 170 birr. Koka Dam spillage threatens Sodore ResortBy Groum Abate Sodere Resort, a subsidiary of Wabe Shebelle Hotels, has been evacuated after floods that came from the release of water from Koka Hydro Electric Power Dam threatened to flood the area. The water that threatened homes has forced the staff of the resort to evacuate their houses located at the front entrance of the resort. The water has also forced the resort to close almost ten guest rooms that normally would be rented to visitors. The Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation (EEPCo) announced the release of water from the Koka Hydro Electric Power Dam that began on August 24. The corporation has also announced that the out flow would not incur any damage to people living around the dam and neighboring development enterprises. Eyewitnesses told Capital that other facilities of the resort are functioning as usual but would fall in great danger if the volume of water released from the dam increases. The situation is compounded by the fact that many dams have nearly reached their maximum capacity. Koka Dam located along the Awash River is a particular concern as the dam will reach maximum levels within a few days. Currently, to avert more disaster, the Ministry of Water is releasing 300 cubic meter water/per second. If the dam reaches its maximum the ministry will be forced to release 600 cubic meter/per second, which will affect the people and farming activities in the surrounding areas. Two teams from the Federal Ministry of Water are currently monitoring the situation. Flood diversion activities are also being undertaken aggressively with a view to preventing possible damage that might occur on the Wonji Sugar factory, state owned Ethiopian Television reported. Meanwhile, renovation of flood diversion walls is being carried out in a bid to prevent floods on the factory's sugar cane plantation. Sodere is a resort/spa located approximately 25 kilometers south of Nazareth and 117 kilometers southeast of Addis Ababa in the Oromia Regional State . The hot spring water, popular for its therapeutic effects, is pumped into a bath house. The resort's facilities include two swimming pools (one Olympic size), a full-service restaurant, and a hotel and conference center. Based on figures from the Central Statistical Agency in 2005, Sodere has a total population of 1,867 people. Sodere lies alongside the Awash River and features lush, shady vegetation. Vervet monkeys live on the resort grounds. Crocodiles and, less frequently, hippos may be seen in the nearby river. According to the official website of Wabe Shebelle Hotels, the spot was developed in the latter half of the twentieth century by the Ethiopian government. Construction and Business Bank secures over 97 mln birr profitCommercial Bank announces a whopping 1.1 billion birr gross profit By Eskinder Michael Construction and Business Bank (CBB) has earned 97.5 million birr profit in the fiscal year, exceeding the target set at the beginning of the year by 42.8%, according to CBB Public Relations Head, Tadele Haile. The bank also announced that it provided 574.4 million birr loan for construction projects, exceeding its original target by more than 205 million birr. Tadele said the loan given for construction, business and running costs exceeded that of the previous year by 260.3 million birr and attributed the increase to the opening of branches and improvement in service delivery. The CBB, in the just ended fiscal year, has recorded its highest profit margin yet. It is believed that the Public Enterprises Supervising and Privatization Agency (PESPA) is ready to float a tender for partial acquisition of the CBB. A maximum share of up to 20% is to be offered for sale. CBB replaced the Housing and Saving Bank which was established by the merger of two financial institutions, the Savings and Mortgage Corporation of Ethiopia S.C (SMC) and the Imperial Savings and Home ownerships Public association (ISHOPA), which were nationalized in 1975 at the onset of the socialist era in Ethiopia . In related news, after much speculation, the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) has announced a whopping 1.1 billion birr gross profit. The profit exceeds that of the previous years by 332 million birr. The bank has also reportedly registered remarkable improvements in the amount of its reserve, income, as well as loan services to its customers. The bank provided over 4.1 billion birr in loans. The amount of loans granted during the ended fiscal year surpassed the earlier budget year by 36%. CBE, a state owned bank also boasted increased assets of 35.8 billion birr, while registered assets for the year before were 33.2 billion birr. About 20 new CBE branch offices are expected to be opened in different parts of the country. CSOs/NGOs elect representatives to component 4 PBS projectBy Groum Abate The Election Facilitation Committee (EFC) and members of the Election Monitoring Panel for the election result of the three CSOs/NGOs representatives to the Steering Committee of Component 4 of the Protecting Basic Services (PBS) project announced the three winners of the election as Christian Relief and Development Association (CRDA), Consortium of Reproductive Health Association (CHORA) and Poverty Action Network Ethiopia (PANE). The election that took place at CRDA's meeting room on Wednesday August 30, also selected alternate members of the steering committee based on number of votes. The three alternate members are Action Aid Ethiopia , Afroflag Youth Vision and Ethiopian Orthodox Church (EOC-DICAC). The above NGOs were voted to represent the steering committee from a total of 25 NGOs and professional associations. The Protection of Basic Services (PBS) mechanism is being introduced following the decision of a number of development partners, in response to the political crisis last year, not to continue providing assistance through Direct Budget Support. This was a form of assistance which the Government could use within an agreed budget focused on poverty reduction. Development partners claim that they want to ensure however that the poor do not suffer as a result of the suspension of Direct Budget Support and that they continue to have access to basic services. In Ethiopia , the basic services such as education, health and water are overwhelmingly provided by the Government. For some years, the Government has been spending more money and time on improving the provision of these services, with the support of development partners. The new mechanism, known as PBS project, aims to protect and promote the delivery of basic services by local government in Ethiopia and to make local services more transparent and accountable to ordinary people. Through this project, development partners will provide financial support through central Government, and will ensure that this money is spent at the local level on education, health, water and sanitation, and agriculture. The Government has agreed to increase its own spending in these areas and PBS funds will be in addition to Government funds. Parliament - both Federal and Regional - and civil society organizations will play a role in monitoring how these basic services are delivered notably through the fourth component of the project. The PBS project consists of four components. The first component is to protect the delivery of basic services by regional and woreda administrations. Development partners will provide money to the Government on condition that the full amount is passed to the regions (through the federal block grant). There will be reviews, tests and spot checks to make sure that funds are being allocated fairly and are being used to pay for basic services. Up to 340 million dollars will be disbursed through this component in the period up to the end of June 2007, subject to satisfactory reviews. Component two ensures to deliver basic health services. These funds will be used to pay for commodities such as vaccines, anti malarial bed-nets and contraceptives, and associated logistics and procurement. Up to 67 million dollars will be disbursed through this component until the end of June 2009. Component three is about to improve citizens' understanding of regional and woreda budgets and to make service facilities (health clinics, primary schools, etc…) more accountable to the citizens they serve. Woreda and kebele administrations will be provided with money and technical support to help them share with citizens information about their budgets and expenditure. Up to 7.2 million dollars will be spent on these activities in the period up to the end of June 2008. Component four focus on supporting citizens and civil society organizations in becoming more familiar with budgets and to engage citizens and civil society organizations in pilot activities on social accountability and service delivery. Funds will be provided, outside of Government, to experienced non-government organizations, to help ensure better accountability. The pilot initiatives will be monitored and assessed so that good practices can be replicated. Up to 6 million dollars will be spent on these activities in the period up to the end of June 2008 . Ethiopian Insurance claims up 93%Fails to meet NBE's premium collection directive By Tedla Yeneakal The government owned Ethiopian Insurance Company (EIC) has incurred claims of 207.2 million birr, in the just ended Ethiopian fiscal year, an increase of close to 93% during a similar period last year, according to the annual report of the company. Meanwhile, EIC has failed to meet the National Bank of Ethiopia 's (NBE) directive in collecting premium earnings as stipulated by the bank in the required period. EIC collected 342.4 million birr, failing short of its plan by 4.2 million birr. In the company's annual meeting held last week, officials of the insurance company expressed their concerns that, by June 30, 2006, the collected amount was only 146.5 million birr, subsequently affecting the company's profit, incurring unnecessary costs in tax payment and decreasing the investment revenue of EIC. NBE's directive forces insurance companies to collect premiums of 59.7% of the total amount in the first three months of the agreement, 3.8% of it in 3-6 months, from 6months to a year, 3.8% and 26.8% for more than a 2 year period. According to the insurance company's report, this has not been met, resulting in the aforementioned hiccups. According to the report the claims incurred showed a significant increase, due to the high customer claims met by EIC during the year. Claims payment for EEPCO's Melkawakena Hydro Electric Power Plant accident was the highest with 25 million birr, followed by a payment made to the Ethiopian Shipping Lines (ESL), when one of its ships, Tekeze, caught fire in China amounting to 12.6 million birr. In addition, a payment made to the National Oil Company on a shipment-associated incident forcing EIC to spend 4.8 million birr and accidents that occurred on two transformers owned by the Chinese construction company, China Wanbao, 2.6 million birr, are the major claims. In the just ended Ethiopian fiscal year, EIC made a gross profit of 65 million birr, exceeding the company's target by 4%. The total assets of the company have reached 899.2 million birr, up from the previous year by 95.9 million birr. EIC has 34 branches around the country. The corporation celebrated its 30 th anniversary in January this year. O LOGO Real Estate to establish €5mln concrete factoryBy Eskinder Michael O LOGO, a private real estate company, is building a reinforced concrete factory around the Kaliti area with an outlay of over five million euros. The factory will produce materials for the construction of buildings and is expected to be completed in a couple of years time. According to Leonardo Sibona, Chairman of O LOGO and head of the engineering site, the factory will also supply concrete to other companies in the construction business. O LOGO has also officially opened the first of its five construction sites in Kazanchis area, adjacent to the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), where the company displayed Italian made construction technology on Friday September 1. O LOGO, set up in Ethiopia in July of 2004, received 4000 square meters of land from the Addis Ababa City Administration and has started construction of luxury apartments. “We expect to finish construction of the apartments in our first development by the end of October or the beginning of November and then our first customers can move in. But we have already acquired four more plots of land, each not less than the first one,” Leonardo Sibona said. According to Mr. Sibona, his company will start construction of the second site when the construction of the apartments on the first site are half way finished. The construction of the third site will start when the second site is halfway complete. The fourth and fifth sites each will be conducted according to this schedule. O LOGO is developing 68 apartments in five buildings that are placed to form a U shape. “Our apartments are luxurious and are fitted with quality Italian finishing. In addition to apartments, we also have mixed development where people could enjoy the services of shops, offices, underground parking, secure gardens for children, gymnasiums, laundry and swimming pools,” Leonardo said. The company has spent over 12 million birr for land development alone on the first site and for the moment plans to stick to standard apartments – medium high or high standards. “But we also have plans to build smaller apartments that can be afforded by other people as well. But we will stick to high standards for the moment. Our finishing materials such as pipes, glues, fittings, electricity and taps are imported from state of the art Italian companies. Our first development will have Soda water running through its kitchen pipes, meaning that standards are high,” he said. The company though in business for a year now, hasn't been hurt by the dwindling cement provision in the country. Leonardo says that his company uses high quality cement from Mesebo Cement Factory and has no shortages. Apart from cement on the ground, the company has 1,200 quintals of cement in stores and is also getting ready to receive another 3000 quintals in the near future. Unlike several other real estate companies, O LOGO has its own machines that help it produce reinforced concrete products. “We have machines that help us produce reinforced concrete products and we keep them at the site now. But when the construction of the first site is finished we will take the machines to the new factory that we are building in Kaliti. The construction of the company will cost us over 5 million Euros including machinery, human skills and technology,” Leonardo said. Nine thousand new fistula patients every yearBy Endale Assefa Nine thousand fistula patients are added to the plight of millions of girls and young women living with obstetric fistula every year. This was said by the World Health Organization (WHO) Goodwill Ambassador for Material, Newborn and Child Health, super model Liya Kebede, during the launch of a WHO manual entitled ‘Guiding principles for Clinical Management and Program Development', held at Addis Ababa Fistula hospital on Friday September 1. Liya said that obstetric fistula has been relatively neglected despite the devastating impact it has on the lives of girls and women in developing countries. ‘It is my hope that the manual will help women currently affected by fistula in Ethiopia by making sure that every woman has access to skilled care during pregnancy and childbirth' she added. Dr. Tewodros Adhanom, Minister of Health, said, “One of the four major areas of focus and the most important one in the ministry's health center development program is maternal health. So, launching the Obstetric Fistula Manual today is one of the activities which we will have included in maternal health development.” The minister also recalled the overall effort of Dr. Hamlin and appreciated her efforts at establishing branch hospitals in Bahir dar, Dire Dawa and Mekele. The minister also outlined the significance of the manual to health workers, and facilitating efforts of preventing maternal problems. He also promised attendants on behalf of the ministry that the manual would be translated into Amharic. On her part, Dr. Catherine Hamlin, founder of the fistula hospital said that child birth should be a happy occasion, “but to these women who have fistula, it is a disaster unless cured. So we're here in this room to prevent this curable injury from occurring in this beautiful country.” Joy Phumaphi, Assistant director general for family and community health at the World Health Organization, who was also present at the ceremony, stressed that no woman should have to endure a condition which is both preventable and treatable. The long term goal should be to make fistula as rare in the developing world as it is in developed countries. According to a United Nations document, more than half-a million healthy young women die from complications of pregnancy and childbirth including obstetric fistula globally each year. WHO estimates that, over 300 million women currently suffer from short or long term complications, with 20 million new cases each year. Obstetric fistula accounts for 8 percent of maternal deaths worldwide with millions more living in shame, isolation and abject poverty because of the stigma linked to their condition. Eradicated in western countries at the end of the 19th century when cesarean section became widely available, obstetric fistula continues to plague women throughout the developing world. It is estimated that there are 100,000 new fistula cases each year, but the international capacity to treat fistula remains at only 6,500 per year. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) estimates the world's population of fistula sufferers at more than two million. The WHO has called fistula “the single most dramatic aftermath of neglected childbirth.” In addition to complete incontinence, a fistula victim may develop nerve damage to the lower extremities after a multi-day labor in a squatting position. Fistula victims also suffer profound psychological trauma resulting from their utter loss of status and dignity. Dr. Catherine Hamlin has spent nearly 50 years of her career providing free reconstructive surgery to thousands of young African girls and women suffering from fistulas suffered during difficult childbirths. In 1974, Dr. Hamlin and her late husband, Reginald, opened the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital in Ethiopia . Since then, the Drs. Hamlin and a team of doctors have cured more than 24,000 girls suffering from fistula, and given them new hope. For her incredibly important work, Dr. Hamlin was nominated in 1999 for the Nobel Peace Prize. Government needs to resolve post-electoral problems By Andualem Sisay UNDP resources will not be available in sufficient quantity unless the government resolves the current post-election problems, said Mr. Ad Malkert, Associate Administrator of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Under Secretary General, on the press briefing he gave after talking to Prime Minister Meles Zenawi. At the press briefing held on Friday at the United Nations Conference Center (UNCC), Mr. Ad Malkert said that UNDP would play its role in capacity building with more money that particularly, can also be made available from other multi-lateral agencies like the World Bank. “So, we always have to see the UNDP role not only in Ethiopia but in every country in the context of total operation by multi lateral and bilateral donors” he added. UNDP's support to Ethiopia ranges from 27 to 30 million dollars annually. “In that sense it is very substantial what happens in Ethiopia . However, I think that in the future, more is needed. At the same time there is a risk that without proper and fair resolution of the current post-electoral problems, UNDP resources will not be available in sufficient quantity. That is the discussion I had with the government, to really express my concern on that prospect,” added the Associate Administrator. During his two days stay in Ethiopia , Mr. Ad Malkert visited one of the Internet laboratories at Bishoftu high school. As part of the Support to Information Communication Technology Development and School Net, UNDP has been involved in the establishment of Internet laboratories in preparatory schools in 181 secondary schools of urban and rural Ethiopia . He also visited Belbela "door" Soil Dam Small Scale Irrigation, which is sustainably managed by the farming community. Belbera provides support to 300 households and supports a population close to 2000 and a significant number of livestock. The farmers produce onions, potatoes, tomatoes and green peppers by irrigation. Other than the talks he held with government high officials, he also met with UNDP Country office, the UN Country Team, Civil society, and donors to get an on-the ground appreciation of UNDP partnerships. Mr. Melkert, a Dutch national, took up his assignment on 1 March 2006. Since November 2002, Mr. Melkert has represented the Dutch constituency as an Executive Director of the World Bank where he has been a strong advocate for increased donor coordination and harmonization, and the need for more equitable development policies, good governance and democratic institutions. Lack of doctors a ‘major threat', says MelesBy Andualem Sisay The WHO Regional Office for Africa after holding the 56 th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa, concluded by adopting seven resolutions aimed at scaling up action in critical areas that are key to improving the health and socio-economic situation in Africa . Three of the resolutions concerned health financing, renewal and acceleration of HIV prevention and the optimal survival, growth and development of African children. The delegates also adopted a 3 year strategic plan (2006-2009) for the expanded program on Immunization (EIP).A resolution on Avian Influenza called on member states to improve communication and sharing of surveillance intelligence between veterinary, human health and wild life services, increase public awareness and strengthen all round capacities of the health service, including effective early warning systems. Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi described the shortage and high turnover of health workers in Africa as a “major threat” to the achievement of Africa 's health goals and proposed concrete measures to address the problem. "We need to focus on producing middle and lower level health professionals …and we need to produce these categories of health professionals on a massive scale to achieve universal coverage in the shortest possible time,” Meles said, as he officially opened the 56th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa at the UNCC on Monday. He stated that the current health situation in Africa called for a dramatic scaling up of key services and the strengthening of health systems. These make “improved and effective partnership with Africa by the international community indispensable and an imperative necessity", he said. The UN Secretary General's Special Envoy to Stop TB, Mr. Jorge Sampaio, a former President of Portugal, on his part said that TB remained “an unacceptable global emergency, particularly in the African Region”. Mr. Sampaio also spoke of the need for concerted action by the international community to address the financial, managerial, infrastructural and clinical challenges in TB control. Addressing the session, WHO Regional Director for Africa , Dr Luis Sambo, commended the renewed commitment of African leaders to HIV prevention in the region. He also called for innovative and far-reaching reforms of health systems and the introduction of results-based management in national health services. The Regional Director reported on the progress made with regard to the control of the H5N1 avian influenza virus, cholera, ebola, Marburg , polio, Guinea worm, leprosy, and onchocerciasis as well as the implementation of priority interventions for the achievement of the MDGs. In his remarks, the Chairman of the African Union Commission, Prof. Alpha Konare, stressed the need for African countries to work together in the face of the challenges posed by HIV/AIDS, TB, malaria and the H5N1 avian influenza virus. The meeting called on African states to fulfill the commitment made by African Heads of State to allocate at least 15% of their national budgets to health. Held for the first time in Ethiopia , the meeting also urged member countries to institutionalize national health accounts to facilitate financial planning, monitoring and evaluation. The total WHO budget planned for 2006-2007 is roughly $US 3.3 billion. Of this amount just over one quarter comes from regular “dues” from WHO member states while more than 70% is money that countries, agencies and other partners give to WHO voluntarily. Other than the financial issue also high on the agenda of the five-day meeting are discussions of strategies for accelerating HIV prevention in the region; improving child survival; health, and the Expanded Program on Immunization. HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria are the most deadly infectious diseases in the world today, killing six million people every year. The TB situation in Africa is now so grave that it was declared a WHO emergency by African Ministers of Health. Currently there are 1.3 health workers for every 1000 people in sub-Saharan Africa . To achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), WHO recommends 2.5 health workers per 1000 people. Delegates also reviewed the progress of Polio Eradication efforts in Africa , the current situation of river blindness, and the implementation of international health regulations in the region. The meeting has also discussed a report on the work of WHO in the African Region during the 2004-2005 bienniums that is presented by the Regional Director. He also provided a comprehensive review of the work of WHO in the region during the biennium, highlighting successes recorded, and challenges encountered in pursuit of the organization's efforts to improve the health situation in member states. The Regional Committee, WHO's governing body at the regional level, is made up of Health Ministers of the 46 Member States which constitute the African Region of WHO. WHO is the international agency within the United Nations' system responsible for health with 192 member countries and two associate members. WHO experts produce health guidelines, standards, and help countries to address public health issues. WHO also supports and promotes health research. EAL, SITA strengthen partnershipBy Hallelujah Lulie Heads of Ethiopian Airlines (EAL) and SITA said that they will carry on strengthening their bond for the technological capability and competitiveness of the national flag carrier, at a briefing on Thursday August 31, 2006. At a press conference held at the Sheraton Addis, following a one day seminar organized by SITA especially for Ethiopian Airlines and Ethiopian government officials, Vice President of SITA for Africa , Khodr Akil said that the partnership will enable Ethiopian to use the latest technologies and solutions for the huge challenges the airline faces. “The airline is facing mega industrial challenges like fuel price increment and security worries, which are threatening its international competitiveness. We are trying to adopt new technologies in areas such as in-flight passenger communications and transportation security that harass the passenger less and simplify the journey.” Girma Wake, Chief Executive officer of EAL, who stated that the airline has been working with SITA for the past 30 years said that SITA has been and still is the only service provider in the continent. “This seminar is organized to create awareness for the next stage of partnership. We believe that we can meet those challenges with the dynamic nature of SITA.” Girma Wake further said that the seminar gave an insight on SITA's services like “implementation of e-visa along with the appropriate infrastructure, which will create a hassle free environment that is conducive for the growing tourist and business traffic. With headquarters in Geneva , Switzerland , SITA is the world's leading service provider of IT business solutions and communications services to the air transport industry. With over 55 years experience, it manages complex communication solutions for its air transport, government and GDS customers over the world's most extensive communications network, complemented by consultancy in the design, deployment and integration of communication services. Peace mission to Somalia under scrutiny By Eskinder Michael Kalonzo Musyoka , Kenya 's Foreign Minister, visited Ethiopia to brief the African Union on the IGAD Peace Mission to be sent to Somalia , sources told Capital . Last week, IGAD member countries agreed to send a mission to Somalia . If the AU follows IGAD in engaging in Somalia , their proposal will be presented to the UN next week. “During the presentation of the peace mission's detailed plan to the AU, a military expert from Kenya will give a briefing on how the mission could operate if and when it goes to Somalia . The expert will give his comments to the AU Security Council,” the source said. “The discussion will include a detailed breakdown on how the mission will proceed, the budget outlay and other matters before the AU approves the plan. The matter of the budget is very important because there is fear that the money set aside might not be enough,” Before the idea is presented to the UN, however, the AU will want to see if the IGAD member states will have anything to say about it at the IGAD extraordinary meeting to be held next week. Last week, it was agreed that eight battalions would be sent to Somalia from Uganda and Sudan . The mission will preserve peace in the area, protect food aid from being looted, bridges, airports and VIPs, and of course, will respond if attacked. The battalions to be sent will consist of 850 soldiers per battalion (standard AU battalion size). Though the agreement of the belligerents is needed for a peace mission to be deployed in an area, this time around, IGAD member states believe that there is enough consensus to send a mission. In the case of Somalia , the TFG has agreed for the mission to come to Somalia while the UIC has totally disagreed. “The mission will be sent to Somalia whether the UIC agrees about it or not because there is consensus in Somalia . If a body needed the total agreement of both the fighting sides to send in a peace mission, then there would never be a peace mission sent to any part of the world,” the source said. In related news, the TFG was expected to meet with the UIC in Sudan for peace talks yesterday. A diplomat closely involved in the Arab League-sponsored meeting who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of jeopardizing relations on both sides, said the talks will include issues such as power sharing between the transitional government and the Islamic courts group. Somali parliament Speaker Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden leads the 16 man delegation. Somalia has been torn apart by warlords since 1991 when Mohamed Siad Barre was killed. A transitional government was formed two years ago with the help of the United Nations to lead Somalia out of the anarchy, but it failed to assert any power outside its base in Baidoa, 150 miles from the capital, Mogadishu . Zenebe Firew Real Estate gives title deedsZenebe Firew Real Estate Company has given title deeds to the first 25 homeowners who have completed full payment at a ceremony held at the Sheraton Addis, yesterday, September 2, 2006. The houses range in price from ETB 199,990 to 521,300 and are located around Sebeta, some 15Km west of Addis Ababa in the Oromia regional state. The company has received a 90,000 sq. meter plot from the regional administration and when fully complete, the complex will have its own kindergarten, clinic, cafeteria and supermarket. Several invited guests, including State Minister of Trade and Industry, Tadesse Haile, Minister of Energy and Mines, Alemayehu Tegenu and Commissioner of the Oromia Investment Bureau, Alemu Seme, attended the event. Zenebe Firew Real Estate Company was established in June 2004 with a capital of 40 million birr.
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