High level delegation on visit to Turkey

A high level delegation led by speaker of the Hosue of Peoples’ Representatives Ambassador Teshome Toga left to Turkey on a working visit. The house said that the visit, at the invitation of the chairperson of the Turkish Council of State, aims at enhancing multifaceted relations between the two countries. The delegation held discussions with Turkish senior government officials and visit historical places. (The Ethiopian Herald)

BPR to be implemented across nation: ministry

The Ministry of Capacity Building said Business Process Re-engineering (BPR) would be fully implemented in federal offices and public service institutions across the nation until the end of this Ethiopian year. Information Education Relation Process Leader with the ministry Adebaby Abay said currently in some 12 governmental offices including Foreign Affairs and Agriculture and Rural Development Ministries have already started implementing the BPR. Changes have been witnessed in offices where the BPR is being implemented, he said. Some 70 percent of the offices in Amhara, Oromia, Tigray and the South Ethiopia People’s States have also started implementing the BPR. The ministry is supporting offices that are implementing the BPR. The process didn’t expel workers and will never do so, he added.(ENA)

University launches expansion project

Gondar University said it has begun expansion project at a cost of over 150million birr including construction of buildings for engineering and veterinary faculties. Engineering service representative Adane Asmare said that the buildings including dormitories, class rooms, and dining rooms and offices among others. (The Ethiopian Herald)

Zone constructing over 10 mln Birr health stations

The construction of eight health stations is well underway in Awi Zone of Amhara State with an outlay of more than ten million Birr, the Zonal health department said. Department head, Wudneh Geremew said that the construction budget was obtained from the Woreda administration and the public. The construction of the health stations comprise, among others, delivery room, diagnostic section, medium-scale surgical ward and bed rooms. The construction of three of the health stations is nearing completion. Upon going fully operational the health stations would provide services to 200,000 people, he said. The head said preparation has already launched to construct additional five health stations with the budget allocated by the Ministry of Health. (ENA)

Ethiopia, Chinese companies sign over 200m USD investment accord

Ethiopia and two Chinese companies have signed over 200 million USD investment agreement here within the framework of the two countries investment cooperation. According to African Press Agency (APA), Eastern Industrial Group and New Century Plc signed the agreement to engage in several investment sectors in Ethiopia. The two companies are expected to create over 10,000 jobs when operational in three years time. It was reported that Eastern Industrial Group has signed an accord with Oromia state to invest over 100 million USD around Dukem town by setting up 20 factories. The industrial zone is planned to comprise manufacturing industries of various sectors including textile and garment, steel, construction materials, food processing, and others, APA reported. (WIC)

Workshop discusses workplaces’ safety

State Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Zenebu Tadesse said prime attention should be attached to rescuing workers and resources from danger at workplaces. A five-day workshop on safety at workplaces was opened. Opening the workshop, Zenebu said safety and health committees formed in public enterprises will contribute a lot to ensure and health at workplaces. (The Ethiopian Herald)

“Hidasie Bridge” opens for traffic: ERA

“Hidasie Bridge”, the newly-constructed bridge across the Blue Nile River, was recently opened to traffic. The 303-m long bridge, which is located some 205-km away from Addis Ababa, is now opened to traffic. The construction of the bridge, which is part of the 41-km Addis Ababa-Dejen Road Project, is launched at a cost of 319.3 million birr. The road project is fully financed by the Japanese government. The new bridge was inaugurated on 10 Sep. 2008 at the presence of senior government officials and other invited guests.(ENA)
Ireland to donate 2 mln euros for Ethiopia food aid
The Government of Ireland is to donate 2 million euro towards food aid for Ethiopia, according to Irish Times. The money will be channeled through the United Nations World Food Program (WFP). “I have seen first hand how Irish funding helps save lives,” Irish Minister for Food, Trevor Sargent said. “At this time of the year especially, it is important to reach out and help our neighbors in need and not to forget those who, although they may be far away, need our support,” the Minister added. (WIC)

Ensuring good governance in pastoralist community said priority

The Ministry of Capacity Building said good governance is vital to benefit the pastoralist community from ongoing social, economic and political endeavors. Speaking at relevant meeting on State Minister of Capacity Building Adamu Ayana said executives at various levels should attach due attention to ensure good governance in pastoralist areas. Executive bodies should properly discharge responsibilities for the same cause. He said the incumbent government has put in place various legal frame works that would enable to ensure human and democratic right of citizens. Pastoralists from Afar, Somalia, Benishangul Gumuz, South Ethiopia People and Oromia states were in attendance at the meeting. Close to seven million pastoralists are living in 133 Woredas across the country. (ENA)

New Ethiopian dams to create power surplus

Ethiopia will have an extra 1.155 MW of electricity in 2009 and intends to export the surplus to its neighbors once three new hydropower projects are complete, an official of the state-owned utility said. Ethiopia plans to sell electricity to Sudan, Djibouti and Kenya, said Sendeku Araya, head of information at Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation (EEPCO). (The Daily Monitor)

Kombolcha constructing condos with 51 mln birr

Construction of 730 condominium houses is being carried out with 51 million birr in Kombolcha town, town administration announced. Administration deputy mayor, Teklehaimanot Araya said that construction of the 730 condominium houses, whose construction had been interrupted due to shortage of construction materials, has been resumed as of last month. As shortage of construction materials, such as cement and iron has been eased, the construction of 33 blocks of condominium houses is well in progress, he said. About 93 percent of work on the construction of 755 condominium houses launched in 1999 E.C has been finalized, he said. (WIC)