Embassy of Japan, NGOs sign grant agreement

The Embassy of Japan signed a 381,297 USD grant contract with five non-governmental organizations (NGOs) on Thursday 25 October, 2007 at its office on Sunshine building.
The grant contract is part of the Embassy's Grant Assistance scheme for Grassroots and Human Security Projects.
The NGOs that signed the contract include: Aberash Memorial Development Organization (USD 85,373), Ethiopian Orthodox Church/Development and Inter Church Aid Commission (USD 72,869), Nigat Integrated Development Association (USD 76,332), Water for People (USD 62,383), Yeahisea Limat Mahiber (USD 84,340). (press release)

Metropolis to construct 40,000 condominium houses

Housing Development Office of the Addis Ababa City Caretaker Administration has set plan to construct over 40,000 condominium houses at a cost of 2.2 billion Birr during the current Ethiopian budget year.
Planning and documentation service head with the office, Shimeles Alemayehu told ENA on Tuesday that 341 hectares of land is required for the construction of 40,000 condominium houses.
The office has been constructing 65,378 houses since 2005, the head said, while construction of over 32,300 houses has so far been finalized.
Addressing shortage of residential units, creating job opportunities, strengthening the construction sector in the country are among missions of the office.
Shimeles said some 15 billion birr is required to construct 200,000 condominium houses in the coming five years. (ENA)

ITDA to connect all woredas through network this budget year

The Information Technology Development Agency (ITDA) disclosed that it will connect all woredas of the country through the WoredaNet project underway with over 15 million birr.
Agency Director General, Debretsion Gebremikael, told WIC that the ongoing installation of WoredaNet has given momentum to the dissemination of information in some of the woredas and speeding up their activities.
The WoredaNet has connected woredas with one another and states as well as federal offices, and will have the capacity to further connect woredas with kebeles, he said.
According to Debretsion, since woredas have accessed videoconferencing services, more than 20,000 trainees were able to receive training in their localities thereby saving their time and money.
Woredas that have not yet accessed the service are less than 40, he said, adding that those will access the service this budget year. (WIC)

IGAD trains Somali police officers

The IGAD Capacity Building Program against Terrorism (ICPAT) launched a four week training course for Somali police officers in Addis Ababa on October 22, 2007.
The counter terrorism training course is being attended by 25 Somali police officers. Among the organizations making presentations at the course are the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the International Police Organization INTERPOL, the International Organization for Migration and the Institute for Security Studies. Experts from Ethiopia, Kenya, the Sudan and Uganda will also make presentations at the training course.
The ICPAT course has been organized with the support of EAPCCO - the East African Police Chiefs Coordination Organization. (press release)
SNNP State licenses investors with over 2.3 billion birr capital in quarter year
Investors with over 2.3 billion birr capital have been licensed in SNNP State during the first quarter of the fiscal year, the state Investment Agency disclosed.
Agency General Manager, Ademe Tinpaye, told WIC yesterday that majority of the investors licensed were Ethiopian diaspora who came to celebrate the millennium.
Out of the 328 investors 74 would engage in agriculture, 73 in industry, 55 in hotel and tourism, and the remaining in agro industry and social service delivery sectors.
The General Manager said investment in the state was the highest ever both in terms of capital and number of projects.
The investment projects which would be implemented in 13 zones and eight special woredas are expected to create more than 96,000 permanent and casual jobs, it was indicated. (WIC)

Meles appoints 4 federal governmnet officials

Prime Minister Meles Zenawi on Wednesday appointed four officials of the federal government.
The Prime Minister's office told ENA on Wednesday that Ambassador Dr. Addisalem Balema has been appointed as Director General of the Commodity Exchange Authority and Haileselassie Bihon as Director General of the Pharmaceuticals Supply Agency.
Similarly, Shumu Tefera and Dawit Dikaso were appointed as Deputy Director General of the Ethiopian Science and Technology Agency and Deputy Director General of the Ethiopian Drug Administration and Control Authority, respectively.
Ambassador Dr. Addisalem Balema, who was appointed as Director General of the Commodity Exchange Authority has served for long years in various senior positions including as head of the Tigray State Trade and Industry Bureau, the Office said.
Similarly, Haileselassie Bihon, who was appointed as Director General of the Pharmaceuticals Supply Agency has previously served as pharmacist, department head as well as Director General of the Ethiopian Drug Administration and Control Authority.
The Office also indicated that Shumu Tefera, who has been appointed as Deputy Director General of the Ethiopian Science and technology Agency has served in different capacities including as department head.
Dawit Dikaso, who was appointed as Deputy Director General of the Drug Administration and Control Authority also served as pharmacist and head of drug research, the Office said. (ENA)