EEPCo
plans $13.1 bln power plants
By Groum Abate The
Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation (EEPCo) has planned to construct
10 hydro power plants worth over 13.1 billion dollars, in the next
10 years.
Fan, with a capacity of generating 100 MW, Hallele-Werabessa 422-MW,
Tekeze II 450-MW, Gibe IV 1900-MW, Genale III 258-MW, Genale IV
256-MW, Geba I & II 366-MW, Karadobi 1600-MW, Boarder 1200-MW,
and Mendaya 2000-MW, are planned to be built or launched under the
corporation’s 25 year master plan.
 MORE
Over $6 mln seized in black market raid
By Groum Abate
Police have seized a staggering two million dollars in hard currency
with an illegal money changer and 13 million birr in cash with another
trader in an unexpected police raid, where several alleged illegal
traders were arrested.
The individual with 13 million birr in cash was caught on Thursday
March 13, around American Gibi in a place called Beteseb Supermarket.
The hard currency was also taken as evidence. Some said that the
amount seized during the raid could be over six million dollars
including the amount apprehended in Ethiopian birr.
ECX launches first electronic banking gateway
Concludes partnership with Dashen, CBE
By Abiy Demilew
The Ethiopian Commodity Exchange (ECX) has finally completed the
first ever electronic banking gateway and signed partnership agreements
with Dashen and CBE. Dr Eleni Zaude Gebre-Madhin, program leader
of the Ethiopian Strategy Support Program / ESSP, International
Food Policy Research Institute (IFPR), disclosed to Capital that
the partnership agreement was signed with Dashen Bank on Friday
and CBE on Saturday.
President launches public health program
By Addis Mulugeta
A public health program was officially launched on Saturday march
8, 2008 in South West Showa Zone, Wolisso. The ceremony that was
held at St. Lukas Hospital was attended by H.E Girma Wolde Giorgis,
President of Ethiopia.
It was indicated on the occasion that the health program is required
to increase basic health supply system, improve quality of dedicated
human resources and equity and access to primary health services
by reinforcing private-public partnership. The program was launched
by the Catholic Church in close collaboration with a special international
NGO based in Italy known as Doctor with Africa-CUAMM and the Regional
Health Bureau
Ancient Harari scriptures at risk
Heavy trafficking of priceless heritages underway
By Abiy Demilew
Islamic scriptures are being smuggled out from the ancient and
historic town of Harar by various people and groups, the Harar Revitalization
Forum disclosed on the Forum’s meeting held last week.
The meeting that was held for three days discussed on various issues
including cultural and heritage preservation.
“A number of Islamic scriptures have been taken out of the
country in different ways robbing the country of its heritage,”
said the participants of the meeting.
MORE
World Kidney Day marked
By Addis Mulugeta
World Kidney Day was marked for the second time here in Addis Ababa
on Thursday, March 13, 2008, at the National Theater. Various medicinal
drugs importers, hospitals and promotion centers attended the event.
The aim of celebrating World Kidney Day is to raise awareness about
the vital role of the kidneys and to spread the message that kidney
disease is common, harmful and yet treatable.
MORE
Sof Omar caves in spotlights
By Muluken Yewondwossen
A 3.5 million birr electrification project for the Sof Omar Cave
system has been launched by Oromia Culture and Tourism Bureau. The
work includes the construction of seven bridges and footpaths through
the cave. The power is to be sourced from two generators.
According to Sintayehu Tola, deputy head of the Oromia Culture and
Tourism Bureau, the power lines are from the gate of the mouth of
the Ayew Maco river with another from the far side of the cave,
following the river and out to the Holuca cave mouth."
The 1.5 km tourist path electrification is commissioned to Diriba
Defersha General Contractor who is scheduled to complete the project
in two months time.
MORE
Condo sewerage raises pollution fears
By Muluken Yewondwossen
Condos built sans septic tanks and with shallowly buried sewerage
pipes are causing health risks to inhabitants, Capital learnt.
The Addis Ababa Houses Development Agency design department admits
that the problem exists on some condos.
Zelalem Alemu, an engineer with the Agency, told Capital that they
have already identified the problem.
People living near such condos as those in Kirkos Sub City, Kebele
02-03, complain that the sewerage line from the condos flows into
the city's main sewerage system. However, since the pipes are too
near the surface, the stench that emanates from the pipes contaminates
the surroundings.
House primed to reset excise tax Rises to
75% on hard liquor, drops to 30% on soft drinks
By Kirubel Tadesse
The House of Peoples' Representatives has sent a draft bill that
proposes to raise excise tax for whiskey to 75% and drops that levied
on soft drinks to 30%, on March 11, 2008, for further amendment
to its budget and finance standing committee.
Jet fuel, which was not included in the latest tax proclamation,
along with super-benzene, regular benzene, petrol, gasoline, and
other spirits is to be levied 30% excise taxes.
WB awaits approval on Tana Beles project
By Tedla Yeneakal
The World Bank is finalizing a study and is currently awaiting
approval for an integrated development of water resources of the
Tana and Beles Sub basins, a project aimed at sustainable management
of land and water resources.
According to a document from the World Bank, potential investments
in developing water resources in the aforementioned sub basins are
provided under the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI).
Sheba Tannery under expansion
By Tedla Yeneakal
Sheba Tannery Share Company belonging to EFFORT, one of the endowment
companies of the ruling party is set to undergo an intensive multi-million
birr expansion aimed at boosting production, company sources disclosed.
According to information obtained, the expansion project will entail
an installment of technologically advanced tannery processes for
the production of finished leathers, clothing, shoe uppers and shoe
lining leathers.
Rental Houses Agency employees get salary
raise
By Tedla Yeneakal
Rental Houses Agency employees have enjoyed a salary raise after
the agency finalized a restructuring study that was underway by
the Agency’s accountable body of the Ministry of Works and
Urban Development, sources disclosed.
The study, which was presented to the State Minister of Urban Works
and Development, Arkebe Equbay, has been approved this week.
MORE
Suspects in NBE gold scandal await audit report
By Groum Abate
The Federal High Court First Criminal Bench has given a 10 day
period for pressing charges on businessmen that are suspected of
involvement in the recent gold scandal that has hit the National
Bank of Ethiopia (NBE).
The court granted the investigation period for the Federal Ethics
and Anti-corruption Commission, at a hearing held on Tuesday, March
11.
Former CUDP becomes Unity for Democracy
and Justice, UDJ Birtukan denounces reported election
By Kirubel Tadesse
The former Coalition for Unity and Democracy Party (CUDP) led by
first chair, Birtukan Medksa, has renamed itself Unity for Democracy
and Justice (UDJ), selecting this from the one hundred twenty five
proposals received from supporters.
The executive committee, which discussed the twelve finalist names,
informed the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia the selection
of ‘UDJ’ complying with the board’s request, which
required a name issue the party documents to collect fifteen hundred
signatures needed to form a national party.
MORE
AU, ECA to host major conference
By our staff reporter
The first session of the Joint Annual Meetings of the African Union
(AU) Conference of Ministers of Economy and Finance and the United
Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) Conference of Ministers
of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, is scheduled to take
place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, at the United Nations Conference
Centre from March 31 to April 2, 2008.
Ethiopia seeks relief for 88,000 drought-affected
people
Around 88,000 people in the drought-hit lowland agro-pastoral areas
of Southeastern Ethiopia require emergency food assistance, the
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported
Wednesday.
In addition, OCHA assessment teams have documented a steadily increasing
number of livestock deaths due to limited availability of grazing
land for pasture and lack of water.
MORE
Country to host biggest ever
cultural sports festival
By Abiy Demilew
The Ministry of Youth and Sports, in collaboration with the Ministry
of Culture and Tourism is to launch the biggest ever cultural sports
festival to be held at national level, May 2008.
‘Sport for all, Cultural Sports Competition and Festival’,
led by a special committee organized from different sector offices,
is engaged in working on different inputs, Capital learnt.
MORE
MEWIT assures adequate salt supply
By Addis Mulugeta
The Merchandise Wholesale and Import Trade Enterprise (MEWIT) has
announced that it has ordered one million liters of food oil from
Malaysia in addition to the one million already in its warehouse.
It also stated to have enough salt in its stocks, on a press conference
held on last Wednesday March 12, 2008.
The state owned MEWIT ordered the oil from funds the government
has allocated to stabilize the price of cooking oil.
AU to discuss African Charter on Democracy,
Elections and Governance
By Abiy Demilew
The African Union is to deliberation the popularization and ratification
of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, from
March 17-19 2008, in Bujumbura, Burundi.
The Member States of the African Union adopted the African Charter
on Democracy, Elections and Governance, in January 2007. The Charter
was developed and finalized over a three-year period and after extensive
consultations and engagements with experts from Member States and
external experts.
Over 50 European companies
visit Ethiopia
By Tedla Yeneakal
A delegation of 52 company representatives from the Czech Republic,
Belgium and Greece were in Ethiopia for a one week exploratory mission,
from March 1 to examine possibilities of investing in the country
in the areas of the power sector and food processing industries.
Tomas Rousek, head of the delegation and the Private Sector Liason
Officer to the World Bank within Czech Trade International Agency,
told Capital that the main objective of the delegation was to gather
experiences from the private sector and the relevant ministries,
to strengthen partnership for future investment.
MORE
Ethiopia to attend
G-8 summit
By our staff reporter
The Japanese government has made the decision to invite to July’s
summit of the Group of Eight the leaders of 15 countries including
Ethiopia.
This will make the forum the most representative in its history,
Tokyo’s media said on Tuesday, citing official sources.
Most of the discussions will be held by permanent participants in
the G8 summits - the leaders of Britain, Italy, Canada, Russia the
US, France, Germany and Japan, Kazinform cites Itar-Tass.
MORE
‘eLearning to share knowledge and culture
from all corners’
Admas College graduates first ‘eLearners’ batch
By Muluken Yewondwossen
Ethiopian students who successfully completed the international
eLearning program provided by Lübeck University have received
their certificates on March 11, 2008 at a ceremony held in Addis
Ababa at Hotel De Leopol.
The fourteen students representing various governmental and private
organizations attended courses on Principals of Task and Leadership
for 45 days.
Girma to meet Angela Merkel
By our staff reporter
German Chancellor Angela Merkel is to meet with President Girma
Wolde Giorgis in Berlin on Wednesday, March19.
Talks will focus on bilateral relations as well as the latest developments
in the region.
Merkel who has reaffirmed her interest in a comprehensive political
and economic cooperation with Africa, visited Ethiopia last October
as part of her maiden African tour, also making a stop in Liberia.
MORE
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EEPCo
plans $13.1 bln power plants
By Groum Abate The
Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation (EEPCo) has planned to construct
10 hydro power plants worth over 13.1 billion dollars, in the next
10 years.
Fan, with a capacity of generating 100 MW, Hallele-Werabessa 422-MW,
Tekeze II 450-MW, Gibe IV 1900-MW, Genale III 258-MW, Genale IV
256-MW, Geba I & II 366-MW, Karadobi 1600-MW, Boarder 1200-MW,
and Mendaya 2000-MW, are planned to be built or launched under the
corporation’s 25 year master plan.
Furthermore the corporation has slated a capital of over 128 billion
birr for construction of transmission lines.
According to EEPCo’s short to mid term power system expansion
plan, the corporation is to construct power plants that could generate
8,552 MW.
20 percent of the construction of Gibe III is completed. At the
Donor’s Meeting held for Gibe III on Thursday, March 13, the
corporation announced that it requires an additional 997 million
Euros. It now requested loans that amount to 646 million euros from
the African Development Bank (AfDB) and European Investment Bank
(EIB).
To fill the gap for the remainder 351 million Euros, EEPCo is hoping
the Italian Government will observe pledges of 200 million euros
made, but presently this is dependent on the current political situation
in Italy.
The country’s largest hydropower project has been officially
commenced at the end of January 2008 aiming to boost the nation’s
current electric production by two fold when completed in eight
years.
A project that could generate 1870 MW, Gibe III is also expected
to generate 300 million euros annually. When completed Gibe would
enter the East African power pool, where it would supply electric
power for the Southern and Eastern African regions.
Mainly, power would be supplied to Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and other
regions.
Gibe III, the third cascade on the Omo-Gibe river is currently the
largest power project in the country.
The project, which will be finalized by the year 2011, would cost
about 19 billion birr. Salini Costruttori is undertaking construction
and installation work.
The country generates over 800 MW of electric power but has capacity
to generate an astounding 45,000 MW with proper utilization.
Over $6 mln seized in black
market raid
By Groum Abate
Police have seized a staggering two million dollars in hard currency
with an illegal money changer and 13 million birr in cash with another
trader in an unexpected police raid, where several alleged illegal
traders were arrested.
The individual with 13 million birr in cash was caught on Thursday
March 13, around American Gibi in a place called Beteseb Supermarket.
The hard currency was also taken as evidence. Some said that the
amount seized during the raid could be over six million dollars
including the amount apprehended in Ethiopian birr.
Furthermore, Addis Ababa Police has taken into custody over 35 illegal
traders in connection with foreign currency exchanges that police
claims has contributed to the current destabilization of prices
in the country.
One dollar was changed for 10.60 birr in the past two days before
the police cracked down on the black market network on Thursday,
March 13, 2008.
Souvenir shops around Filwoha, behind the Ethiopian Postal Service
headquarters, in front of Gandhi Memorial Hospital, behind Ethiopia
Hotel, around American Gibi, and behind Hilton Hotel were raided
by the police.
“The illegal money changers have been in the business for
several years without facing much hassle from police,” said
observers surprised by the sudden raid.
National Bank on its part had alerted on Friday, March 14 that the
public should be aware of counterfeit birr that are being disbursed
through the black market.
According to Ethiopian law, foreign currency is only exchangeable
at authorized banks, hotels and other outlets and proper receipts
should be obtained for transactions. Exchange receipts are required
to convert unused Ethiopian currency back to the original foreign
currency.
Non compliance with the law results in penalties levied for exchanging
money on the black market, ranging from fines to imprisonment.
ECX launches first electronic
banking gateway
Concludes partnership with Dashen, CBE
By Abiy Demilew
The Ethiopian Commodity Exchange (ECX) has finally completed the
first ever electronic banking gateway and signed partnership agreements
with Dashen and CBE. Dr Eleni Zaude Gebre-Madhin, program leader
of the Ethiopian Strategy Support Program / ESSP, International
Food Policy Research Institute (IFPR), disclosed to Capital that
the partnership agreement was signed with Dashen Bank on Friday
and CBE on Saturday.
“This is a major step for ECX as we have secured the first
ever electronic banking gateway, which is a key move towards launching
the market system,” Dr. Eleni disclosed in an exclusive interview.
The electronic banking system now being developed with both banks
is designed to give a secure electronic data sharing gateway between
clients, banks and ECX, facilitating a smooth transaction, according
to Dr. Eleni.
“We have now built and secured a clearing and settlement system
which we have been working on since October,” as the IT professionals
of the ECX and both banks were working closely in developing the
new software that enables the system to function in a safe and secured
manner.
“We are glad that we have finally managed to come up with
the first ever electronic and bio-metric banking protocol in which
our clients and customers will open accounts and save their funds
and we are able to manage the transaction with our clearing and
settlement system,” described Dr. Eleni.
According to World Bank senior economist and director general of
ECX, Eleni G. Madhin, the data transaction risk is assumed by the
ECX as it takes the role of clearing the balance enquiry and funds
of clients in the system.
The first partnership agreement between ECX and Dashen Bank, was
signed by Dr. Eleni G.Madhin and Leulseged Teferi, president of
the Bank, on Friday afternoon.
In her exclusive with Capital, Eleni also confirmed that after the
major move on the banking issue, the commodity exchange market system
(ECX) will launch in two weeks time.
The ECX trading system combines a physical trading floor located
in Addis Ababa and transition to an electronic trading platform
over time. The trading floor relies on open outcry price bidding
where all interested sellers and buyers verbally negotiate simultaneously
during trading hours from 8:00am to 12:00am. Only ECX members or
their authorized representatives can use the ECX trading system
on their behalf or on behalf of clients.
ECX transforms the commodity trading business in Ethiopia by providing
accurate, reliable and timely data on a continuous basis to all
market payers. An aggressive ECX market dissemination approach combines
multiple layers of market price dissemination. During trading hours,
data opening price, highest price, lowest price, last traded or
current price, and volume of trade is transmitted continuously using
electronic networking to electronic price display boards located
in public sites in Addis Ababa and thirteen other major market centers
around the country in real time for every commodity grade traded
on the ECX trading floor.
In addition market data feeds are transmitted daily to radio, print
media, television, and innovative uses of SMS and inter active voice
recognition using mobile telephony to rural areas.
According to Eleni Zaude, ECX is a service providing commercial
entity with a commitment to providing low cost, reliable service
to the broadest possible set of market actors. “All revenues
earned by ECX are reinvested in scaling up operations, innovation
and service provision,” she said.
ECX providing weighing, sampling, handling, and product certification
(weight and quality), inventory control and management, warehouse
receipting and central depository transfer of title and transaction
order execution services.
ECX service charged will be 1.45 ETB for product certification and
handling per 100 kg bag, 0.04 ETB storage service charges daily
per 100 kg and 0.002 per cent for exchange transaction fee.
The ECX document indicates that the management board will be composed
of 6 owner representatives appointed by the government of Ethiopia
and five representatives independently selected by members.
The preliminary capital of the Ethiopia Commodity Exchange will
be comprised of a projected capital injection by the government
of Ethiopia and its external partners in the amount of 194.4 mln
ETB. The capital of the company will be further increased by 5 mln
ETB through the current offer of sale of one hundred membership
seats.
President launches public
health program
By Addis Mulugeta
A public health program was officially launched on Saturday march
8, 2008 in South West Showa Zone, Wolisso. The ceremony that was
held at St. Lukas Hospital was attended by H.E Girma Wolde Giorgis,
President of Ethiopia.
It was indicated on the occasion that the health program is required
to increase basic health supply system, improve quality of dedicated
human resources and equity and access to primary health services
by reinforcing private-public partnership. The program was launched
by the Catholic Church in close collaboration with a special international
NGO based in Italy known as Doctor with Africa-CUAMM and the Regional
Health Bureau
During the opening ceremony, President Girma stated that Ethiopian
Catholic Church in close collaboration with communities and other
partners is now providing health services in over 80 middle and
higher level health facilities established in peripheries not covered
by state capacity. The plan to extend the public health services
to the grass-roots level in the area with the objectives of maternal
and child mortality reduction will contribute to the achievement
of the millennium development goal of the Federal government of
Ethiopia.
According to the president, the Oromia regional government, Federal
Ministries and bilateral organizations have promised to provide
the necessary support to the Public Health Services Program.
Raffaele de Lutio, Ambassador of the Republic of Italy to Ethiopia,
said that Italian cooperation and contribution to the health service
development program focuses mainly on human resources development
and has therefore decided to provided financial support to Wolisso
Nursing School’s course upgrading from Health Assistant level
to Nurse, through the Oromia Regional health bureau.
Sr. Elaine Kohls, general manager of St. Luke Hospital, cited that
the program will have, a duration of three years as pilot project.
Currently the project operates in Wolliso, Goro, Wonchi, Sedan and
Sodo woredas. The project has budgeted 6 million birr with 16,000
beneficiaries over the three years duration.
“Doctor with Africa CUAMM engaged in the local community eight
years ago with different partners, including the Catholic Church
and the Italian government, to tackle preventable diseases in Wolisso
town. The local communities and health extension workers were key
facilitators of the program to the woredas and kebele level,”
said Gebre Mandog, health facilitator with Doctor with Africa CUAMM.
Ancient Harari scriptures
at risk
Heavy trafficking of priceless heritages underway
By Abiy Demilew
Islamic scriptures are being smuggled out from the ancient and
historic town of Harar by various people and groups, the Harar Revitalization
Forum disclosed on the Forum’s meeting held last week.
The meeting that was held for three days discussed on various issues
including cultural and heritage preservation.
“A number of Islamic scriptures have been taken out of the
country in different ways robbing the country of its heritage,”
said the participants of the meeting.
Dr. Ahmed Zekaria, history advisor at the AAU, said on his part
that Islamic manuscripts are part of the national heritage and are
facing illegal trafficking. “The community itself and the
society at large should play a key role in protecting and preserving
the historical heritage which is now endangered by illegal trafficking,”
he said, stressing that the struggle against heritage trafficking
will only have meaningful impact if it is supported by the community.
As different studies indicate, various types of cultural heritages
including the Orthodox Church scriptures written on Brana (parchment
made of goat’ hide) and Islamic manuscripts are smuggled out
of the country by tourists and smugglers.
“The government should take serious action towards protecting
and preserving historical Islamic scriptures,” a participant
told Capital.
Harar is known for its hand written books and book binding skills.
The 800 books and more than 10 binding machines found in the private
museum of Abdella Sherif and other books found out of Harar, reflect
these skills of the past, says the Harari Region Industry Transport,
Trade and Tourism Bureau.
The city of Harar has been a center of commerce and Islamic learning,
embracing Islam eight years before Medina (in Saudi Arabia), which
positioned it as the first Islamic nation of the world, according
to the Harari Region Industry Transport and Trade’s bureau
statement provided to Capital.
“Any Islamic scholar to be certified as a writer has to be
evaluated by the Amir (King) and then must be approved by the Islamic
scholars founders of AW Abadir,” adds the statement.
World Kidney Day marked
By Addis Mulugeta
World Kidney Day was marked for the second time here in Addis Ababa
on Thursday, March 13, 2008, at the National Theater. Various medicinal
drugs importers, hospitals and promotion centers attended the event.
The aim of celebrating World Kidney Day is to raise awareness about
the vital role of the kidneys and to spread the message that kidney
disease is common, harmful and yet treatable.
“World Kidney Day recommends that all countries establish
targeted screening programs to detect kidney disease among high
risk groups; mainly, persons with diabetes, high blood pressure,
the obese and those with a family history of diabetes, hypertension
or kidney disease. If you belong to any of these groups, you should
ask your doctor about getting your kidneys checked with simples
tests conducted on minute sample of blood and urine” .
According to Dr. Lessane Tadesse, Disease Control Director at the
Ministry of Health, the objectives of the establishment of Ethiopian
Kidney Association is to monitor and raise kidney and blood pressure
related diseases and to, work closely with the Ministry of Health
and the Drug Control Authority to alleviate the problem.
Tadesse emphasized that government officials, NGOs schools and others
should provide the necessary support to the association and stated
that it also needs new members to strengthen its capacity.
He said that over 500 people took kidney check ups during the event.
Tadesse noted that medical facilities and treatment options are
relatively sparse has compared to the number of kidney and blood
pressure patients and that, they are working with various different
concerned bodies on this issue.
Sof Omar caves in spotlights
By Muluken Yewondwossen
A 3.5 million birr electrification project for the Sof Omar Cave
system has been launched by Oromia Culture and Tourism Bureau. The
work includes the construction of seven bridges and footpaths through
the cave. The power is to be sourced from two generators.
According to Sintayehu Tola, deputy head of the Oromia Culture and
Tourism Bureau, the power lines are from the gate of the mouth of
the Ayew Maco river with another from the far side of the cave,
following the river and out to the Holuca cave mouth."
The 1.5 km tourist path electrification is commissioned to Diriba
Defersha General Contractor who is scheduled to complete the project
in two months time.
"Sof Omar is an extensive cave with many passages, which makes
it difficult to conduct tours. When the electrification work is
completed the cave will be convenient for visits, and this will
enhance the flow of tourists to the area," Sintayehu added.
According to the deputy head, the government plans to nominate the
cave to be registered on the UNESCO World Heritage list, and the
electrification project will contribute positively to this goal.
Sof Omar Cave system is located in Bale Zone of Oromia, Dawekach
Wereda, 540 km south of Addis Ababa. At 15.1 km (9.5 miles) long,
it is the longest in Ethiopia. Sources even claim they are the largest
system of caves in Africa.
The Web River flows through the caves and sinks at the Ayiew Maco
entrance and reappears at the Holuca resurgence more than one km
away. The caves are known for their many stalagmite pillars, particularly
in the "Chamber of Columns".
In related news, furnishing work on the Dire Sheik Hussen mosque
will be finalized this year. For this project, the US Embassy has
secured over 25,000 USD and work has already started two years ago
by MH Engineering, a local firm.
Dire Sheik Hussein Mosque was built 900 years ago in Bale Zone,
Gololcha Wereda, 620 km South of Addis Ababa.
Condo sewerage raises pollution
fears
By Muluken Yewondwossen
Condos built sans septic tanks and with shallowly buried sewerage
pipes are causing health risks to inhabitants, Capital learnt.
The Addis Ababa Houses Development Agency design department admits
that the problem exists on some condos.
Zelalem Alemu, an engineer with the Agency, told Capital that they
have already identified the problem.
People living near such condos as those in Kirkos Sub City, Kebele
02-03, complain that the sewerage line from the condos flows into
the city's main sewerage system. However, since the pipes are too
near the surface, the stench that emanates from the pipes contaminates
the surroundings.
According to Zelalem, septic tanks are not advisable for condos,
but the city's main sewerage system is not connected to every area
in the city, so it became necessary to use the tankers. On the other
hand, septic tanks must be constructed when space permits because
the tanks minimize pollution. Currently, due to high population
density, there is not enough land to install tankers for condos.
The septic tanks are small and fill up rapidly, causing the offending
smell.
"To solve the problem of the sewers flowing into the city's
main sewerage system the Agency has planned to use filtration systems,"
said Zelalem.
According to Zelalem, there are no sewerage lines that run into
the rivers that cross the city. Very few condominium sewerage lines
are connected to the main Addis Ababa sewerage system.
Sewerage pipes emanating from condos should have been laid deeper
underground, and this failure reflects on the design and build quality.
However, Kenimos Tesfaye, Structural Design Department head of MH
Engineering, stated to Capital that his company's designs do not
have such flaws
"Maybe the problem occurred when the contractors implemented
the design," Kenimos explained.
MH Engineering is the company that designs condominiums houses in
the city.
Zelalem asserted that condominiums under construction have large
capacity tankers and suggests that in order to solve the problem
once and for all, the Addis Ababa City Water and Sewerage Authority
should upgrade the city's sewerage system.
The City Water and Sewerage Authority admits that the stated areas
are not connected to the city's sewerage system, but the Authority
told Capital that it is planning to connect all the sewerage systems
to the main network.
House primed to reset excise
tax Rises to 75% on hard liquor, drops to 30% on soft drinks
By Kirubel Tadesse
The House of Peoples' Representatives has sent a draft bill that
proposes to raise excise tax for whiskey to 75% and drops that levied
on soft drinks to 30%, on March 11, 2008, for further amendment
to its budget and finance standing committee.
Jet fuel, which was not included in the latest tax proclamation,
along with super-benzene, regular benzene, petrol, gasoline, and
other spirits is to be levied 30% excise taxes.
The draft bill, passed by majority vote, is expected to return to
the House for final approval within the next three weeks.
To date excise tax was imposed on nineteen products believed to
be demand inelastic and have adverse social impacts.
The draft bill proposes to lower the 40% excise tax rate on all
types of soft drinks, except fruit juices, to 30 %. It also proposes
to reduce excise tax on powdered soft drinks and bottled or canned
water produced through factory process by thirty and twenty percent
respectively. It was indicated that the amendment would encourage
local industries to expand their investments.
According to the draft, when similar deductions (from eighty to
forty percent) were issued between the years 2002 and 2006, tax
revenue collected from the sector has increased up to 23%.
In order to discourage imports of whiskey, the draft bill suggests
that it would be appropriate to increase the tax imposed on the
product by 25% on top of the previous 50% rate.
The 10% excise tax imposed on textiles and derivative products is
also to be amended. The amendment limits the tax on factory processed
products since attempts to collect tax from non-factory products
have failed.
The bill also proposes to exempt repeated taxations in calculating
the excise tax payable on textile and textile products, locally
produced in a factory and vehicles assembled locally, allowing for
the tax paid on import of inputs that are used for the production
of such goods to be deducted.
The amendments bill introduces the general review on the former
excise taxes which exclude customs duty payable. The sub article
which is proposed to replace Article 5, sub article 2 the Excise
Tax Proclamation No 307/2002, states that in respect of goods imported;
cost, insurance and freight (C.I.F) and customs duty is payable
thereon.
Even if this new inclusion of customs payable is included in the
tax, the bill explains that the products won't witness price increments
since most of the products are produced locally and the amendment
won't include fuel products since they have customs payable free
status.
Mesfin Nemera (MP) opposed the proposed deduction of the excise
tax on soft drinks.
"Even if tax on these products had been reduced by half in
past years, prices of the products didn't show any reduction. If
the tax deduction would be followed by a price adjustment on products,
it would benefit the consumers. Otherwise like seen before, it is
the sector that simply pockets the margin. It isn't wise to reduce
the tax, especially when the sector is seen busily engaged in throwing
money and resources on lotteries rather than competing by lowering
product price," Mesfin explained to the House.
WB awaits approval on Tana
Beles project
By Tedla Yeneakal
The World Bank is finalizing a study and is currently awaiting
approval for an integrated development of water resources of the
Tana and Beles Sub basins, a project aimed at sustainable management
of land and water resources.
According to a document from the World Bank, potential investments
in developing water resources in the aforementioned sub basins are
provided under the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI).
“There is a great potential of getting higher economic returns
by integrating various efforts undertaken in irrigation, watershed
development, flood preparedness and warning underway,” reads
the report. “The project will likely improve development and
management of land and water resources of the Tana and Beles sub-basins
to contribute to accelerated growth and sustainable socio-economic
development.”
Accordingly, the project that would cost millions of dollars, is
to be realized with physical investments and institutional arrangements
as well as building synergies with relevant on-going and planned
initiatives in the sub-basins.
“It was recognized that there are considerable opportunities
for private sector development in this project,” added the
report.
The World Bank has provided lending for over 100 projects
in Ethiopia that have focused on HIV/AIDS, Protecting Basic Services,
assistance with the demobilization and reintegration of soldiers,
education, capacity building for decentralized service delivery,
and food security. As of December 2007, there were 24
projects with a total commitment value of over US$2.3 billion.
Sheba Tannery under expansion
By Tedla Yeneakal
Sheba Tannery Share Company belonging to EFFORT, one of the endowment
companies of the ruling party is set to undergo an intensive multi-million
birr expansion aimed at boosting production, company sources disclosed.
According to information obtained, the expansion project will entail
an installment of technologically advanced tannery processes for
the production of finished leathers, clothing, shoe uppers and shoe
lining leathers.
Moreover, the expansion will involve the environmental treatment
and safe disposal of wastes, critical quality parameter automations
and know-how transfer programs.
The factory was constructed in Wukro town of South Tigray Zone with
an outlay of 37 million birr and began production in 2004.
Ethiopia has the largest livestock population in Africa, and the
10th largest in the world. Ethiopia’s livestock is currently
estimated at 35 million cattle, 21 million sheep and 16.8 million
goats. Annually it produces 2.7 million hides, 8.1 million sheepskins
and 7.5 million goatskins.[1]
The ten tanneries which are producing finished leather in the country
are: Elico (Awash Tannery), Ethiopia Tannery, Dire Industries, Walia
Tannery, Batu Tannery, Bale Tannery, Addis Ababa Tannery, Modjo
Tannery, Hafde Tannery, Mersa Tannery. The two tanneries which
have started expansion to finished leather are: Bahir Dar Tannery
and Blue Nile Tannery. The five tanneries, which are stated for
expansion are: Desse, Debre Brehan, Abay, Shoa and, Colba tanneries.
Rental Houses Agency employees
get salary raise
By Tedla Yeneakal
Rental Houses Agency employees have enjoyed a salary raise after
the agency finalized a restructuring study that was underway by
the Agency’s accountable body of the Ministry of Works and
Urban Development, sources disclosed.
The study, which was presented to the State Minister of Urban Works
and Development, Arkebe Equbay, has been approved this week.
According to sources within the agency, the restructuring includes
plans to set out in real estate development as well as including
the 2,800 employees it currently has to be taken in as civil servants
of the government.
This has entitled Rental Agency employees, a monthly salary increment
that was effective as of July 2007 for all civil servants of the
country after the Ministry of Economic Development approved raises
costing cumulatively 1.8 billion birr annually in September 2007.
In effect, this has entitled employees of the Rental Agency a 38%
increment but that was subject to the salary scale where all salaries
fall between different ranges.
RHA was established a year after a proclamation that confiscated
urban land and extra houses was declared in 1975, after the Derg’s
ascension to power. It was given the mandate to take over and rent
houses with rent of up to 100 Br a month.
The Agency now collects rental payments, refurbishes and privatizes
houses, grossing 50 million Br in annual profits and has stayed
as an autonomous organ despite tenants’ complaints with the
service it renders.
RHA finalised 366 houses and took over 815 houses confiscated by
the military regime by the time it was created. Until 1991, the
Agency invested 524.5 million Br on the construction and repairs
of houses and had 25,374 houses and 25 hostels under its supervision
until 1993. However, the Agency lost 5,772 houses following the
decision passed by the Council of Ministers to transfer houses located
in regional states except those in Addis Abeba and Dire Dawa.
In the latest fiscal year of operations, the Agency managed to collect
160 million Br from tenants.
Suspects in NBE gold scandal
await audit report
By Groum Abate
The Federal High Court First Criminal Bench has given a 10 day
period for pressing charges on businessmen that are suspected of
involvement in the recent gold scandal that has hit the National
Bank of Ethiopia (NBE).
The court granted the investigation period for the Federal Ethics
and Anti-corruption Commission, at a hearing held on Tuesday, March
11.
Lawyers for the suspects claimed that their clients have been held
for a long time without any charges laid and requested the court
to influence the prosecutors to press charges against the suspects.
The prosecutor argues that the case is so complicated that it could
not be completed in a short period of time and added that it is
waiting for the report of the Auditor General.
The court granted the prosecutor another 10 days to March 21.
Employees of the Ethiopian Geological Survey, that were arrested
last week. In connection to the brewing phony gold scandal has also
been brought before court with the other suspects.
Gold bricks NBE purchased were discovered in a random inspection
to be only gold plated steel, prompting the arrest of employees
of the central bank and the Ethiopian Geological Survey along with
other businessmen as alleged accomplices.
At a time when the Commission is investigating the scandal jointly
with the Federal Police, another 33,781Kg of gold that was sent
to NBE from the exhibit vault of the police has reportedly been
caught.
36kg gold bars, deposited 5 years ago by the Ministry of Finance
and Economic Development was also found out be gold plated steel.
In the National Bank of Ethiopia’s (NBE) phony gold scandal,
the Federal Police have arrested different business people and government
employees so far.
Four brothers were arrested at the end of January, for allegedly
acting as accomplices to one of the suspects, accused of swindling
hundreds of millions of birr by supplying fake gold to the Bank.
Apprehended in January, businessmen now under custody are Kaf Mohammed,
owner of Sofam Fashion; Sultan Mohammed, owner of Day and Night
Multi Choice boutique; Fuad Mohammed, owner of WOW Fashion; and
Nuredin Mohammed, owner of Nur Building.
The police charged the suspects at the First Instance Court of the
Arada Criminal Bench, accusing them of covering up for Mukemil Sheriff,
who is a fugitive also indicted for cheating 65 million birr from
the Bank by supplying 13 boxes of gold-plated steel to NBE.
Their other brother, Mudesir Mohammed, was also arrested two months
ago.
The Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission took the case
from the Federal Police in January saying that the case involves
corruption. Subsequently, the file was closed at the First Instance
Court.
The First Criminal Bench of the Federal High Court recently froze
properties belonging to WOW International Garment Factory, Day and
Night Boutique in the gold scandal saga at the National Bank of
Ethiopia (NBE). The Factory, which went operational a year
ago, is among the holdings claimed to have been registered with
Abdurshikur Mohammed Sofam, a businessman suspected of involvement
in the scam.
It was also reported that the office of the Prime Minister, some
weeks back passed an order for the inspection of all deposited gold
bars at the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) to the House of Peoples’
Representative’s public accounts, budget and finance standing
committees.
The order comes after some gold bars inside the vaults of NBE were
discovered to be fake.
The recent sporadic gold scandal started about two months ago when
NBE discovered that some of the gold bullion at its reserve vaults
was steel gilded with gold. The first scandal was followed by another
a week ago, which involves fake gold bars for which the bank had
paid over 300 million birr.
Former CUDP becomes Unity
for Democracy and Justice, UDJ Birtukan denounces reported election
By Kirubel Tadesse
The former Coalition for Unity and Democracy Party (CUDP) led by
first chair, Birtukan Medksa, has renamed itself Unity for Democracy
and Justice (UDJ), selecting this from the one hundred twenty five
proposals received from supporters.
The executive committee, which discussed the twelve finalist names,
informed the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia the selection
of ‘UDJ’ complying with the board’s request, which
required a name issue the party documents to collect fifteen hundred
signatures needed to form a national party.
UDJ is still awaiting support documents form NEBE, which forty-eight
members will use to collect signatures in more than five regions.
Mekonenn Wondemu of the NEBE, who rejected the first request for
supporting documents made on behalf of twelve people, who are mainly
members of the former CUDP executive committee, explained to Capital
that forming a new party is a right guaranteed to all Ethiopians
under the constitution and seeking supporting documents to form
a new party is not a common request when it is a right that for
any Ethiopian to collect signatures freely and later, ask for accreditation
from the board.
Senior members of the newly established UDJ told Capital that the
board is to decide whether to give the supporting documents or not
this week. Explaining the reasons why they are seeking supporting
documents when party registration regulations does not require this,
senior members explained that it is done to avoid harassment when
the forty eighty members travel to the regions to collect signatures.
In a related development, Birtukan Medksa has denounced a reported
party election that claimed to unveil secret elections which put
Birtukan and Temesgen Zewidie (MP) to the president and vice president
post respectively. She told Capital that there was no election that
has taken place within the executive committee or the supreme council
and the executive committee is only working in various groups to
complete legal status for the newly established party, which still
needs the board’s accreditation. She added that it would be
the general assembly of the new party which will nominate and elect
people to different posts.
The executive committee, which put on board two MPs; Temesgen Zewidei
and Mohammed Ali, in its latest election alongside three other members
of the former CUDP, and the supreme council, which has sixty members,
were elected on September 24, 2005. The two year term has expired
and the legal status of the party never came to be following the
failed merger of the four parties that ran for the May 2005 elections
together.
AU, ECA to host major conference
By our staff reporter
The first session of the Joint Annual Meetings of the African Union
(AU) Conference of Ministers of Economy and Finance and the United
Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) Conference of Ministers
of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, is scheduled to take
place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, at the United Nations Conference
Centre from March 31 to April 2, 2008.
The Ministerial Conference will be preceded by a technical preparatory
meeting of the Committee of Experts, as of March 26, 2008.
The Joint Meetings is expected to provide a streamlined and coherent
arrangement for bringing the relevant Ministers together and also
to provide a framework for strengthened collaboration between the
AU and the ECA.
According to the announcement of the joint media advisory of the
hosts, the conference will also be the occasion of the start of
the yearlong commemoration of ECA 50th anniversary. As part of these
celebrations, invited African Heads of State and Government and
other prominent individuals are welcomed to reflect on the theme
of the Conference; Meeting Africa’s New Challenges in the
21st Century.
The Joint Meetings are also to provide a platform for in-depth discussions
and policy on the continent’s long term challenges such us
poverty reduction and the issue of states’ capacity to promote
and guide the development process especially with regard to the
provision of infrastructure and social services and in countries
undertaking post-conflict reconstruction and development. It is
also expected to enable Ministers to articulate strategies and concrete
actions for effectively confronting them.
The proposal to hold Joint Annual Meetings was endorsed by the Assembly
of Heads of State and Government of the African Union at its meeting
in Accra in July 2007. This followed decisions taken by the
AU Conference of Ministers of Economy and Finance (CAMEF) in Yaounde,
Cameroon in November 2006 and the ECA Conference of African Ministers
of Finance, Planning and Economic Development in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
in April 2007, in particular Resolution 853 (XL) for the joint organization
of their meetings.
Ethiopia seeks relief for
88,000 drought-affected people
Around 88,000 people in the drought-hit lowland agro-pastoral areas
of Southeastern Ethiopia require emergency food assistance, the
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported
Wednesday.
In addition, OCHA assessment teams have documented a steadily increasing
number of livestock deaths due to limited availability of grazing
land for pasture and lack of water.
According to relief agencies of the United Nations, the deteriorating
situation with regard to human health, food security, livelihoods,
and livestock health initially reported in Borena zone has spread
to Bale, East Hararghe, Guji and Liben zones of Oromiya Region.
Poor rainfall in the coming months, as forecasted by the National
Meteorological Agency, are likely to exacerbate the existing situation
in the agro-pastoral areas of the region, OCHA said.
The drought has triggered a rising level of migration by pastoralist
communities in search of water and pasture for livestock in the
Oromiya region.
At least 29 schools in Borena zone have been forced to close due
to water shortage and approximately 3,700 children have dropped
out of full-time education.
Besides the situation in Oromiya Region, UN agencies and humanitarian
partners have reported the emergence of hotspots in Southern Nations
Nationalities and Peoples Region (SNNPR).
These hotspots are in Gamogofa, Hadiya, Kenbata, Sidama, South Omo
and Welayita zones.
OCHA said that the required relief was expected from government,
humanitarian partners and UN agencies.
Referring to an on-the-ground report by field officers of the World
Food Programme (WFP), OCHA added that there was a rapid deterioration
of the food security situation in East Hararghe zone, with serious
food shortages in Midhega Tola, Chenaksen, Kurfa Chelle, Metta and
Bedeno woredas (districts).
Water shortages in pastoral areas have reached a critical level
with traditional wells, boreholes, cisterns, ponds and rivers drying
up.
As a result, local communities were extremely vulnerable to health
deterioration and loss of livestock.
Meanwhile, the Regional Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Commission
(DPPC) was distributing 621 metric tonnes of hay for approximately
5,920 heads of cattle in Miyo and Moyale woredas. (PANA)
Country to host biggest ever
cultural sports festival
By Abiy Demilew
The Ministry of Youth and Sports, in collaboration with the Ministry
of Culture and Tourism is to launch the biggest ever cultural sports
festival to be held at national level, May 2008.
‘Sport for all, Cultural Sports Competition and Festival’,
led by a special committee organized from different sector offices,
is engaged in working on different inputs, Capital learnt.
Banteyirgu Worku, external relations expert, Public Relations, Ministry
of Culture & Tourism, told Capital that the festival is going
to be one of the biggest happenings of the Millennium celebrations,
embracing the participation of more than million people nationwide.
“We have set a budget of 1.5 million birr to be obtained from
the government, NGOs and other options,” Banteyirgu disclosed
to Capital. “Each region is expected to contribute about 300
– 500 athletes to the final three day event in Addis Ababa.”
According to Banteyirgu, the main objective of the festival is to
create a renaissance among the Ethiopian youth by bringing the unique
colors and features of various cultural and traditional presentations
from each nations and nationalities of the country in one place
and time.
“This festival is unique in that it is bringing together different
communities in their own perspective areas and regions,” before
a final appearance in Addis Ababa, where representatives of each
region will be present.
The festival will be flavored with a variety of cultural and musical
presentations of ethnic groups, bringing out all parts of the community
to take part in the event, Banteyirgu concluded, exclusive to Capital.
The Ministry targets this festival as the best opportunity for cultural
exchanges within the nation and among the people, giving the country
additional opportunity for tourist attraction.
“This is going to be a good opportunity for tourists as well
in giving out the cultural and traditional flavors in a more organized
manner,” affirms Banteyirgu.
Entertainment, competition and festivities are under the activities
list of the organizers; which might have the possibility of being
marked as an annual event in the years to come, according to Banteyirgu.
Enriching the level of participation from region to region and from
framers to pastoralists, “proves that Ethiopia implements
the ‘Sport for all’ principle of the international treaty
we have endorsed,” said Banteyirgu.
Various regional bureaus and offices are already working on encouraging
communities, and mobilizing logistics for the realization of the
festival.
MEWIT assures adequate salt
supply
By Addis Mulugeta
The Merchandise Wholesale and Import Trade Enterprise (MEWIT) has
announced that it has ordered one million liters of food oil from
Malaysia in addition to the one million already in its warehouse.
It also stated to have enough salt in its stocks, on a press conference
held on last Wednesday March 12, 2008.
The state owned MEWIT ordered the oil from funds the government
has allocated to stabilize the price of cooking oil. However, the
price of one liter has increased by 1.90 birr from 14.50 birr. The
price of one kilo of salt, sold at 0.95 is now sold by MEWIT at
1.35 birr.
According to the General Manager of MEWIT, Yimam Mohammed, the Enterprise
has an abundance of commodities such as, stationery, building materials,
garments, tires and plastics, general commodities and food commodities.
These items are distributed to the public at fair prices.
It is to be recalled that early this year, the Ethiopian Customs
Authority (ECAu) outsourced the sale of seized contraband items
to MWET. After buying the items from ECAu, MEWIT sells them through
its more than 80 shops around the country.
For the last seven months, the Enterprise has bought commodities
costing 167 million birr.
The Enterprise assured that the price of salt from its source is
not more than 50 birr and yet in Addis Ababa, it is approximately
110 birr.
AU to discuss African Charter
on Democracy, Elections and Governance
By Abiy Demilew
The African Union is to deliberation the popularization and ratification
of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, from
March 17-19 2008, in Bujumbura, Burundi.
The Member States of the African Union adopted the African Charter
on Democracy, Elections and Governance, in January 2007. The Charter
was developed and finalized over a three-year period and after extensive
consultations and engagements with experts from Member States and
external experts.
The Charter, as adopted, emanates from a concern with unconstitutional
changes of government as a cause of insecurity, instability and
violent conflict in Africa. Its adoption thus serves as a determination
by the African Union to promote and strengthen good governance through
the institutionalization of transparency, accountability and participatory
democracy.
The adoption of the Charter has received substantive focus and attention
across Africa and is viewed as an essential instrument for enhancing
the overall state of democracy, elections and governance across
Africa. The Conference Statement of the International Conference
on Sustaining Africa’s Democratic Momentum, held in Johannesburg,
South Africa, from March 5 - 7 2007, on acknowledging Africa’s
commitment to democracy as demonstrated by the approval of the African
Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, and the critical
need for this and other key AU Charters to be ratified and implemented,
as a matter of top priority.
The adoption of the Charter is perceived as the first step in the
direction of achieving the ‘democracy, elections and governance’
objective articulated in the Charter. To be effective, the Charter
has to be ratified by member States before it comes into force as
an instrument of the African Union Commission.
Though the Charter has been adopted by Members States, formal ratification
takes time and requires ongoing encouragement and engagement with
Member States. To give effect to this process, it is imperative
that the AUC facilitates a Brainstorming Meeting to begin a process
of reflection on the most appropriate strategy for taking forward
the Charter process.
In addition to the initial brainstorm on the Charter, it is anticipated
that workshops will be held on a regional basis to engage with Member
State Experts, Civil Society Stakeholders and other external experts
on the ratification and subsequent implementation of the Charter.
In view of the objective of popularizing the Charter and ensuring
that all member states ratify the African Charter on Democracy,
Elections and Governance, the objectives established for the workshop
are as follows:
According to the AU’s statement, the discussion in Bujumbura
objectives of sensitizing decision makers and other key stakeholders
on the value and contents of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections
and Governance, Develop common perspectives on how Charter ratification
can contribute towards governance improvements within the region,
Build an understanding of the role of different actors in the ratification
process and the procedures for ratification that exists amongst
the various member states, Establish a common perspective on the
actions that would be taken at a sub-regional and member state level
to ensure that the Charter is ratified, Contribute towards the overall
continental ‘framework for action’ on the popularization,
ratification and application of the Charter, It is anticipated that
the workshop will be concluded with a presentation of a brief ‘action
plan’ that embodies the commitments that have been made towards
the popularization and ratification of the Charter. As appropriate,
the ‘action plan’ will be embodied in a Workshop Communiqué
for wider distribution and communication.
Over 50 European companies
visit Ethiopia
By Tedla Yeneakal
A delegation of 52 company representatives from the Czech Republic,
Belgium and Greece were in Ethiopia for a one week exploratory mission,
from March 1 to examine possibilities of investing in the country
in the areas of the power sector and food processing industries.
Tomas Rousek, head of the delegation and the Private Sector Liason
Officer to the World Bank within Czech Trade International Agency,
told Capital that the main objective of the delegation was to gather
experiences from the private sector and the relevant ministries,
to strengthen partnership for future investment.
“We have had successful meetings with the Chamber of Commerce,
whereby presentations were made to us explaining the various opportunities
that these companies may be engaged in,” Tomas said. “We
also met with officials from various ministries, particularly the
Ministry of Mines and Energy, where most of the company representatives
were interested to invest.”
Moreover, the delegation visited several projects including the
Melka Wakena hydro power reservoir, constructed by a Czech company.
“I told Prime Minister Meles Zenawi that our bilateral cooperation
has been weak for the last five years but we are here to fill that
gap,” Tomas added.
Tomas Rousek was appointed as the first Private Sector Liaison Officer
to the World Bank in the Czech Republic in September 2006 to help
spread information on World Bank procurements and projects over
Czech business community. Czech Trade Promotion Agency was selected
as a suitable organization for the employment of the Private Officer
to the World Bank in order to help Czech companies interested in
projects financed by the World Bank. Czech Trade Promotion Agency
is a pro-export oriented company that is a subsidiary of the Ministry
of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic. The agency disposes
of more than thirty foreign representation offices providing updated
and verified information from territories as well as mapping business
opportunities.
Ethiopia to attend
G-8 summit
By our staff reporter
The Japanese government has made the decision to invite to July’s
summit of the Group of Eight the leaders of 15 countries including
Ethiopia.
This will make the forum the most representative in its history,
Tokyo’s media said on Tuesday, citing official sources.
Most of the discussions will be held by permanent participants in
the G8 summits - the leaders of Britain, Italy, Canada, Russia the
US, France, Germany and Japan, Kazinform cites Itar-Tass.
Leaders of Australia, Brazil, Indonesia, India, China, Mexico, South
Africa and South Korea will join them on the last day of the three-day
summit, on July 8.
They will take part in discussions on the reduction of greenhouse
gas emissions that cause global warming.
Tokyo’s plan is convening leaders of practically all leading
economies of the world that account for 80 percent of greenhouse
emissions.
This summit is to lay a path to developing a plan of combating the
global warming. It is called to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
by 50 percent by 2050.
The agenda of day one of the summit will be Africa’s acute
problems in the education and also health care spheres, and the
water shortage.
Leaders of the G8 and of Algeria, Egypt, Senegal, Tanzania, Nigeria,
Ghana, South Africa and Ethiopia will discuss on these and other
problems.
An important issue of the dialog will be reducing twofold the numbers
of famished people on the African continent by 2015.
Chiefs of the European Union are expected to attend the summit in
the capacity of unofficial participants.
Leaders of other countries began to be invited to G8 meetings since
2000, when a summit was held on Japan’s southern Okinawa Island.
This year’s summit will be held on the northernmost Hokkaido
Island adjacent to Russia.
‘eLearning to share
knowledge and culture from all corners’
Admas College graduates first ‘eLearners’ batch
By Muluken Yewondwossen
Ethiopian students who successfully completed the international
eLearning program provided by Lübeck University have received
their certificates on March 11, 2008 at a ceremony held in Addis
Ababa at Hotel De Leopol.
The fourteen students representing various governmental and private
organizations attended courses on Principals of Task and Leadership
for 45 days.
Eighty seven students - three Asian, three European and eight from
African countries participated on the online course, offered as
per a 2004 cooperation agreement Lübeck University entered
with Admas College.
Yibrah Girmay, general manager of Admas College told Capital that
the association of eLearning and eHealth in Africa made the cooperation
agreement between the two institutions possible.
According to the founder and director of the association of eLearning
and eHealth in Africa, Birhanu Beyene, ambassadors, doctors, professors,
teachers and others have participated on the 45 days course all
over the world.
“The big advantage of online eLearning is to share different
knowledge and culture from all levels of people who live in different
areas,” added Birhanu.
Lübeck University was founded late in 1964 in Lübeck,
Germany as a medical academy and faculty of the University of Kiel.
The small university has approximately 2,300 students and about
260 lecturers. There is a close cooperation with the Fachhochschule
Lübeck, a university of applied sciences on the neighboring
campus. The International School of New Media is an Institute of
the university.
Admas College’s Yibrah believes the eLearning has positive
impact on the higher learning. Currently the Ethiopian educational
policy does not accredit eLearning, but when it does his college
in collaboration with the Association plans to start online Diploma
and Degree programs.
“We have facilitated Information Technology systems in order
to introduce how to use eLearning technology in the country,”
states Yibrah. Considering the positive impact on higher education,
on a non-profit basis, he concluded.
Girma to meet Angela Merkel
By our staff reporter
German Chancellor Angela Merkel is to meet with President Girma
Wolde Giorgis in Berlin on Wednesday, March19.
Talks will focus on bilateral relations as well as the latest developments
in the region.
Merkel who has reaffirmed her interest in a comprehensive political
and economic cooperation with Africa, visited Ethiopia last October
as part of her maiden African tour, also making a stop in Liberia.
The German leader has repeatedly stressed the importance of boosting
aid for Africa.
"We know that we can really help with our resources ... and
we want to show to this continent our understanding of freedom,
justice and solidarity is not limited to us, but goes for the whole
world," she said.
Merkel has outlined major points for assisting Africa, including
ongoing debt relief programs, raising development aid funds and
promoting the anti-HIV/AIDS campaign.
She has also warned of the dangerous impact of global climate change
for Africa.
The chancellor has called for boosting democratic political and
economic reforms as well as good governance in Africa.
Merkel has also highlight the "important role" of Africa's
regional powers, Ethiopia and South Africa, in helping to settle
conflicts in places like Darfur, Sudan or war-stricken Somalia.
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