EEPCo says construction of power generation projects creates job opportunity

EEPCo says construction of power generation projects creates job opportunity
Addis Ababa, June 19, 2010 (Addis Ababa) -
Eight power generation projects, which would be constructed in the coming five years will create job opportunities for graduates of higher learning institutions in Ethiopia, the Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation (EEPCo) said.

EEPCo CEO, Mihiret Debebe said expansion of energy sector development ensures the successive economic growth being registered in the country.

Mihiret was speaking in Jimma Town of Oromia State on Saturday at the graduation ceremony of Jimma university students.

The university graduated on Saturday 1,850 students with bachelor’s degree and masters degree in regular and continuing education programs.

Mihiret, who was guest of honour at the event, handed over the degrees to the graduates and awards to outstanding students.

He said the government has been working in particular to further enhance domestic investment.

EEPCo is one of the main organizations, which create jobs in the country, he said, adding, construction of a single power plant creates jobs for nearly 5000 graduates.

He said construction of eight power plants is expected to create jobs for thousands of graduates in the coming five years.

Efforts will be exerted to work jointly with universities in the country on issues related to conducting research on energy development and building capacity of students, among others, Mihiret said.

Ethiopia aims to turn itself into a regional energy giant



Ethiopia aims to turn itself into a regional energy giant

The Gibe 3 dam on the Omo river will be Africa’s largest, providing power to a nation with one of the world’s lowest per capita levels of access to electricity. NGOs warn of environmental disaster

Christophe Châtelot,Guardian Weekly

The Gibe 3 dam on the Omo river will be Africa’s largest, providing power to a nation with one of the world’s lowest per capita levels of access to electricity. NGOs warn of environmental disaster.

Ethiopia’s government has set itself an ambitious target: in just a few years it aims to take an undeveloped country, with one of the world’s lowest levels of per capita access to electricity, and turn it into a regional powerhouse, exporting energy to its neighbours.

To achieve this the prime minister, Meles Zenawi, is advocating a spending spree to develop Ethiopia. Various foreign non-governmental organisations have questioned the reliability of official impact studies, but with a de facto one-party state, controlled by the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front, there is little risk of serious opposition.

Ethiopia is pinning its hopes on the Gibe 3 dam in the Omo valley, 350km south of Addis Ababa. Predictably this is also the focus of the NGOs’s concern. Work started in 2006 and by 2012 there should be a dam 240 metres high, the largest in Africa. It will feed a 1,800 MW hydroelectric power station producing twice as much electricity as Ethiopia used in 2009.

In January a coalition of NGOs, including International Rivers and Survival International, started a petition calling for work to be stopped.

“The dam, if not stopped, will cause food insecurity, chronic hunger, poor health, food aid dependence, conflicts among the local communities for the control of the already scarce natural resources and a general unravelling of the economy and social safety net throughout the region,” the petitioners say. They say that Gibe 3 and its 150km reservoir will lower the level in Lake Turkana by about 10 metres. The lake, which straddles the border with Kenya, draws four-fifths of its water from the Omo river. The changes would threaten several hundred thousand people in both countries, say the NGOs.

Over the past few years not a month has gone by without the opening of a new road, university, school or health centre. In the past two years alone three dams have come into service. “Most of these schemes are funded by international loans or aid, but Ethiopia is one of the few African countries where work is completed and corruption does not swallow all the money,” a western diplomat said.

Both the World Bank and the African Development Bank expressed initial doubts about the Gibe 3 scheme, so the government turned to the Chinese. On 19 May the CEO of the Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation, Mihret Debebe, and the president of the Dongfang Electric Corporation, Luo Zhigang, signed an agreement worth $459m for Gibe 3. The total cost of the dam is estimated to be $1.8bn (compared with $25bn gross domestic product in 2009). According to Debebe, the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China has committed itself to cover 85% of total outlay. The design office at Sinohydro is already working on plans for Gibe 4, also on the Omo.

“Ethiopia has enormous hydro-electric potential,” says Debay Tadesse, a researcher at the Institute for Security Studies in the capital. The government aims to achieve a ninefold increase in capacity in just a few years, rocketing from 1,000 to 9,000 MW.

Just 2% of Ethiopia’s rural population (80% of its 80 million inhabitants) have access to electricity. “It is inconceivable to develop the country without electrical energy. How else can we power the schools, hospitals, businesses and irrigation systems?” Tadesse asks.

Over and above the problem of connecting homes in Ethiopia to the power grid – which raises the question of a transmission and distribution network – the prime objective is to export energy and earn foreign currency. This should soon be the case thanks to the dam on Lake Tana – at the source of the Blue Nile – built by an Italian firm, Salini, and officially opened last month. A contract to export electricity to Sudan is slated to bring in $150,000 a day. Other contracts have been signed with Kenya and Djibouti.

Ethiopia woos Indian hospitals to set up branches

NEW DELHI: Ethiopia wants private Indian hospitals to open branches in that country to provide specialized treatment to its citizens, an official said.

An Ethiopian delegation was in India this week with the twin aim of learning from India’s health sector and small and medium enterprises.

“We felt that it will mutually benefit Ethiopians and the Indian private sector if they come to Ethiopia, especially Addis Ababa, and open branches, so that they attract not only Ethiopians but also other Africans,” Redwan Hussien, head of the delegation said.

The delegation, which included the health minister of the Addis Ababa city administration, met representatives of private hospital chains, like Fortis Healthcare and Moolchand Healthcare.

“In the last seven-eight years, we have been growing at double digits and the middle class has been booming, so people can afford to go out of the country for medical treatment,” said Hussien, a senior official in the city administration.

Addis Ababa, a city of 3.3 million, is also home to a substantial number of foreigners. It is the headquarters of the African Union and other international institutions. “Since Ethiopian Airlines is a major African airways, Addis Ababa is also a major transit point for Africans from other countries,” said Hussien.

But there is no equivalent level of specialized medical treatment available inside the country. “Most people travel to South Africa, or Bangkok or come all the way to India,” he said.

After discussions with private health providers, Hussien said that “Fortis Bangalore were really interested in going to Addis Ababa.”

A memorandum of understanding is being drafted and may be signed soon.

Hussien said space will be given in an existing Ethiopian hospital to set up a specialized treatment unit. Also, Indian doctors will be teaching their Ethiopian counterparts as part of the transfer of technology.

On the small and medium enterprises sector, Ethiopia is also looking towards Indian trainers to come to Africa. “We want Indian experts to come and teach in about 4-5 areas that we have drawn up,” he said.

The delegation also met with the Mayor of Delhi Prithviraj Sawhney and invited him to visit Ethiopia.

Ethiopian moves to broaden foothold in Africa

Ethiopian Airlines is seeking to expand its African presence by creating airline startups across the continent.

It launched Lome-based ASKY Airlines in January (ATWOnline, January 21). CEO Girma Wake previously toldATWOnline that Ethiopian has a 25% stake in ASKY, which has a diverse ownership spread among individuals and institutions in 11 African countries. The carrier operates to 11 destinations and will take delivery of its third 737NG during the summer. “ASKY has become profitable already,” Wake told ATWOnline this week on the sidelines of the IATA AGM in Berlin.

He said ET is evaluating launching additional airlines in southern or northern Africa. “But first we want to [solidify] ASKY,” he explained. He did not rule out investing in existing African carriers. “We are talking to [some airlines],” he revealed. A further possibility could be to join forces with another major African airline to launch a startup, he said. He also reiterated that ET would like to join Star Alliance.

ET operates 26 jet aircraft (including a freighter fleet of two 747Fs, two MD-11Fs and two 757-200Fs) and nine turboprops. “We take delivery of our first 777-200LR this autumn,” Wake said. A total of five 777-200LRs will arrive through July 2011. It will take delivery of three 737-800s during the remainder of this year. He added that delivery of the carrier’s first 787 is confirmed “for July 2011.” It has 10 787s on order.

ET operates an extensive network, including 14 weekly flights to both China and India. Wake said it is considering new Asian destinations such as Malaysia and South Korea. It also is evaluating additional US routes including New York JFK, Atlanta or even a West Coast destination. It currently serves Washington Dulles.

He noted that ET faces stiff competition from non-African airlines within Africa. “Carriers like Emirates and Qatar are fighting like crazy across the continent,” he said. “But so far there is business for everyone.”

Wake expects ET to grow passenger traffic at the rate of 20% annually. Currently, 60%-70% of its passengers transfer through its Addis Ababa hub. It expects to transport around 3 million passengers this year, up from 2.8 million last year. Cargo remains an important part of its business, generating 18% of total revenue. He said it is considering operating 777 freighters “in the future.”

Thousands at KeyArena pay respects to victims of last Saturday’s fatal fire

Thousands at KeyArena pay respects to victims of last Saturday’s fatal fire

By Marc Ramirez

Seattle Times staff reporter

One by one, the lives lost to last weekend’s fire in Fremont were celebrated on screen, a series of snapshots taken in happier times.

Thousands of mourners from the area’s East African community attended a Friday memorial at KeyArena for the woman and four children who perished in last Saturday’s apartment fire in Fremont.

One by one, the lives lost to last weekend’s fire in Fremont were celebrated on screen, a series of snapshots taken in happier times.

The boy who dreamed of playing point guard for the Boston Celtics. The siblings who adored their older brother. The girl who liked to jump rope. And the young woman who could win any argument she set her mind to.

The emotional slide show capped Friday’s public memorial to those five family members at Seattle Center’s KeyArena. The multicultural crowd, estimated at 3,500, largely reflected an East African population united in grief over the loss of so many young lives.

“Your sorrow is our sorrow,” said Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn. “Your grief is Seattle’s grief. We walk with you in your grief because we are — and will be — one community.”

Killed last Saturday morning in the swift-moving fire at Helen Gebregiorgis’ Fremont apartment were three of her children — Joseph Gebregiorgis, 13, Nisreen Shamam, 6, and Yaseen Shamam, 5; her sister, Eyerusalem Gebregiorgis, 22; and a niece, 7-year-old Nyella Smith, daughter of a third sister, Yordanos Gebregiorgis.

Their names appeared on the arena’s electronic-display board overhead as attendees — including several Seattle Fire Department lieutenants — began to arrive. Some had been shuttled from Yesler Community Center, where the East African community has been gathering all week to grieve alongside the victims’ families, members of the city’s Ethiopian community.

The Gebregiorgis sisters, along with brother Daniel, moved to Seattle with their refugee parents around 1990, joining a growing local community of Ethiopians who had fled famine and war in their homeland.

Conducted in line with the Ethiopian Orthodox Christian religion to which the family’s mother adheres, the funeral opened with chanting clergy at times under a red, ornately embroidered liturgical umbrella. Many in the crowd wore traditional attire, with women in flowing garments and white shawls known as netellas.

In addition to McGinn, speakers included Maria Goodloe-Johnson, superintendent of Seattle Public Schools. “They will be remembered by their beautiful smiles and friendly natures,” she said, noting that the deaths had united the city in pain.

Michael Ramos, executive director of the Church Council of Greater Seattle, also spoke.

“Every loss of life is tragic,” he said. “And it is particularly sorrowful when it involves young people and children.”

That sorrow was evident in the ceremony’s concluding slide show. Brief biographies and tearful tributes preceded photos set to music, images from life stories that had ended too soon:

Eyerusalem Gebregiorgis, the young woman who liked sweets and wanted to be a prosecutor. Joseph, the popular seventh-grader at Whitman Middle School, who loved basketball, video games and looking after his younger relatives. Nyella, who swam and jumped rope. And siblings Nisreen, a giggly girl who loved to dance, and Yaseen, a loving boy with a never-ending appetite.

With each series of photos, family members crumbled into uncontrollable sobs as others consoled them.

Originally set for Seattle Center’s Exhibition Hall, the event was moved to KeyArena because of the large number of expected attendees. “We didn’t want to be in a position where people would have to be turned away,” said Seattle Center spokeswoman Deborah Daoust.

A letter from the Ethiopian consulate in Los Angeles was read, thanking McGinn for donating the use of KeyArena for the memorial.

Some Seattle residents have questioned McGinn’s decision to provide the use of KeyArena for the service at taxpayer expense. Daoust said those costs — which she pegged at less than $5,000 — were low because the arena was already configured for such a large-capacity stage event, having hosted numerous recent high-school graduation ceremonies.

“With this tragedy, the saying ‘life is too short’ has never been so true,” said Saba Desta, cousin to the children who died, nearly breaking down in tears. “I ask that you remember these children by their smiles, and not by their tragic deaths.”

Marc Ramirez: 206-464-8102 or mramirez@seattletimes.com

Ethiopian Election Result: Official Results of the 23rd May 2010 General Election

Election Result

THE NATIONAL ELECTORAL BOARD OF ETHIOPIA (NEBE)

Official Results of the 23^rd May 2010 General Election

The National Electoral Board of Ethiopia conducted fourth round general election in all over the country on 23 May 2010 in a legal manner ensuring the sovereignty power of the people.  The general election was conducted to the House of Peoples Representatives and Regional State Councils.  It was characterized by high voter turnout, and orderly conduct of the Election Day proceedings. The election was peaceful, credible, fair, free, and democratic.

All the results of the general election are to be declared on 21 June 2010 as per the formal time table of the Board.

In accordance with the Amended Electoral Law 532/2007 Article 76 (5), The Board had publicized formal provisional results earlier from all Constituencies dealing with:

• Seats to the the House of Peoples’ Representatives
• Seats to the nine   Regional State Councils

The provisional results were announced by the NEBE through the Local and International Medias on 24, 25 and 27 May 2010.

The Board has assessed the results of the general election in detail on its 149^th urgent meeting held on 18 June 2010 ensuring that

• All the results of the May 23 General Election have been received from all over the country

• Decisions have been given to all Complaints lodged by contending political parties according to the law

Thus, the Board approved the results unanimously and decided to announce to the nation on 21 June 2010 as per its previous formal time table.

The results of the 2010 General election are declared as follows:

1.        63 Political Parties participated in the elections fielding comprising of

1.1     2,188 candidates for the House of Peoples’ Representatives, of which

• 1,916 (87.6%) are male
• 272 (12.4%) are female

1.2     4,746 Candidates for the Regional State Councils, of which

• 4,021 (84.7%) are male
• 725 (15.3%) are female

1.3    Independent Candidates

34 participated for the House of Peoples’ Representatives, of which

• • 33 (97.1%) are male
  • 1 (2.9%) female

11 participated for the Regional State Councils, of which

• 9 (81.8%) are male
• 2 (18.1%) are female.

In general, the total numbers of candidate participants in the 2010 General Election are 6,979, of which

• 5,979 (85.7%) are male
• 1000 (14.3%) are female.

Total No. of registered voters is 31, 926,520, of which

• 16,674,280 (52.2%) are male
• 15,252,240 (47.8%) are female

Total No. of voters who casted their votes is 29,832,190, of which

• 15,617,453 (52.4%) are male
• 14,214,737 (47.6%) are female.

Total voters turn out was 93.4% (of the registered voters)

The remaining 6.6% were not casted their votes.

Results of the 2010 General Election

1.         The Results of the General Election to the House of Peoples’ Representatives

Elections were held for 547 seats in the House of Peoples’ Representatives in 547 Constituencies

• The Ethiopian Peoples’ Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) won 499 seats
• The Afar National Democratic Party (ANDP) won 8 seats
• The Somali Peoples Democratic Party (SPDP) won 24 seats
• The Benishangul Gumuz Peoples Democratic Party (BGPDP) won 9 seats
• The Harari National League (HNL) won 1 seat
• The Argoba People Democratic Organization (APDO) won 1 seat
• The Ethiopia Federal Democratic Unity Forum (Medrek )  won 1 seat
• One Independent Candidate won 1 seat.

2.         Results of the General Election to Regional State Council

Elections were held for 9 Regional State Councils. The results are as follows:

2.1 Tigray

The Tigray Regional State has 152 seats in its Regional State Council.

• The Tigray Peoples’ Liberation Front (TPLF-EPRDF) won all the 152 seats.

2.2 Afar

The Afar Regional State has 96 seats in its Regional State Council.

• The Afar National Democratic Party (ANDP) won 93 seats.
• The Argoba Peoples Democratic Organization (APDO) won 3 seats.

2.3 Amhara

The Amhara Regional State has 294 seats in its Regional State Council.

• The Amhara National Democratic Movement (ANDP-EPRDF) won all the 294 seats.

2.4 Oromia

The Oromia Regional State has 537 seats in its Regional State Council.

• The Oromo Peoples Democratic Organization (OPDO-EPRDF) won all the 537 seats.

2.5 Somali

The Somali Regional State has 186 seats in its Regional State Council.

• The Somali Peoples Democratic Party (SPDP) won all the 186 seats.

2.6 Benishangul Gumuz

The Benishangul Gumuz Regional State has 99 seats in its Regional State Council.

• The Benishangul Gumuz Peoples Democratic Party (BGPDP) won 98 seats.
• The all Ethiopian Unity Organization (AEOU) won 1 seat.

2.7 Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’

The Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ Regional State has 348 seats in its Regional State Council.

• The Southern Ethiopian People’s Democratic Movement (SEPDM-EPRDF) won all the 348 seats.

2.8 Gambela

The Gambela Peoples’ Regional State has 156 seats in its Regional State Council.

• The Gambela people’s Unity Democratic Movement (GPUDM) won all the 156 seats.

2.9 Harari

The Harari People’s has 36 seats in its Regional State Council, of which

• The Harari National League (HNL) won 18 seats.
• The Oromo People’s Democratic Organization (OPDO-EPRDF) won 18 seats.
• The official result as to winners of seats to the House of Peoples’ Representatives and the Regional State Councils are hereby officially announced as per the official electoral calendar of the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia.

Furthermore, the Board will publish the details of the official result in Addis Zemen Gazeta during the next couple of days. It has been also posted in the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia official website.

Similarly, detailed results for each political party candidate in each Constituency have been publicized.

The National Electoral Board of Ethiopia

June 21, 2010

Addis Ababa

II.      The local Election result of Somali Region  held on May 30, 2010

As per the Board’s special election time table for Somali Region on May 30, 2010, it is confirmed that the local election was held in a free, fair, peaceful, democratic and credible manner. By examining and approving the local election, the Board has decided to publicize the result as follows፦

1.         Results of Jijiga City Administration Council

The Somali Peoples’ Democratic Party (SPDP) won 75 seats in 13 kebeles of which 51 (68%) are male and 24 (32%) are female.

2.         Results of Woreda Council

The Somali Peoples’ Democratic Party (SPDP) won 4,032 seats in 52 Woredas, of which 3412 (84.6%) are male and 620 (15.4%) are female.

3.         Results of kebeles Councils

The Somali Peoples’ Democratic Party (SPDP) won 47,849 seats in 706 kebeles, of which 37,541 (78.5%) are male and 10,308 (21.5%) are female.

The details of Somali Region Local election result is also publicized on in the office of the National Electoral Board hall as of today, June 21, 2010.

The National Electoral Board of Ethiopia

June 21, 2010

Addis Ababa

A summary of final results of the 2010 General Election

No.	Winner Party	Results Obtained
1	The Ethiopian Peoples’ Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF)	499
2	The Somali  People’s Democratic Party (SPDP)	24
3	The  Benishangul Gumuz Peoples Democratic Party (BGPDP)	9
4	The Afar National Democratic Party (ANDP)	8
5	The Gambela People’s Unity Democratic Movement (GPUDM)	3
6	The Harari National League (HNL)	1
7	The Argoba People Democratic Organization (APDO)	1
8	The Ethiopian Federal Democratic Unity Forum (Medrek)	1
9	Independent	1
Total number of  seats in the House of Peoples’ Representatives		547

To the House of Peoples’ Representatives (HPR)

A summary of final results of the 2010 general election

No.	Regional State	No. seats	Winner Party	Results Obtained
1	Tigray	152	The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF-EPRDF)	152
2	Afar	96	The Afar National Democratic Party (ANDP) The Argoba People’s Democratic Organization (APDO)	93 3
3	Amhara	294	The Amhara National Democratic Movement (ANDM-EPRDF)	294
4	Oromia	537	The Oromo People’s Democratic Organization (OPDO/EPRDF)	537
5	Somali	186	The Somali  People’s Democratic Party (SPDP)	186
6	Benishangul Gumuz	99	The  Benishangul Gumuz Peoples Democratic Party (BGPDP) The All Ethiopian Unity Organization (AEUO)	98 1
7	SNNP	348	The Southern Ethiopian People’s Democratic Movement (SEPDM-EPRDF )	348
8	Gambella	156	The Gambela People’s Unity Democratic Movement (GPUDM)	156
9	Hareri	36	The Oromo People’s Democratic Organization (OPDO/EPRDF) The Harari National League (HNL)	18 18
Total number of  seats in the 9 Regional States				1,904

To Regional State Councils (RSC)

Human Ancestor Ethiopian ‘Lucy’ Walked Upright 3.2 Million Years Ago

Netanyahu: Uproot discrimination against Ethiopians

Netanyahu addressed the racial discrimination many community members suffer, and said “Israel is obligated to uproot the phenomenon of ethnic discrimination. I will not tolerate or hear of such things. It opposed our values. The government of Israel will act to promote the Ethiopian community and eradicate discrimination.”

The prime minister noted the government approved on Monday “a budget proposal of NIS 490 million (about $127 million) to improve absorption of Ethiopian immigrants, education, employment, housing and welfare.

“Two months ago we allocated 13 Kessim positions, in addition to the 44 existing positions, so that the community can receive proper religious services. We will continue to absorb this aliyah; it is the duty of the State of Israel,” he said.

Education Minister Gideon Sa’ar agreed with the prime minister and added, “We cannot bury our heads in the sand while the Ethiopian immigrant community suffers from racist discrimination. We have to battle against this sort of behavior, both overt and covert.”

Sa’ar addressed the segregation affair in the Emmanuel school and the dismissive reaction to High Court rulings in the matter. “No man or groups of people stand above the law,” he said.

Roni Sofer contributed to this report

Ethiopia is witnessing the birth of a new ocean, according to scientists at the Royal Society.

By Matt McGrath
BBC News Science reporter

Africa is witnessing the birth of a new ocean, according to scientists at the Royal Society.

Geologists working in the remote Afar region of Ethiopia say the ocean will eventually split the African continent in two, though it will take about 10 million years.

Lead researcher Tim Wright who is presenting the research at the Royal Society’s Summer Exhibition, described the events as “truly incredible”.

Used to understanding changes in the planet on timescales of millions of years, the international team of scientists including Dr Wright have seen amazing changes in Afar in the past five years, where the continent is cracking open, quite literally underneath their feet.

In 2005, a 60km long stretch of the earth opened up to a width of eight metres over a period of just ten days.

Hot, molten rock from deep within the Earth is trickling to the surface and creating the split.

Underground eruptions are still continuing and, ultimately, the horn of Africa will fall away and a new ocean will form.

‘A smaller Africa’

Dr James Hammond, a seismologist from the University of Bristol – who has been working in Afar – says that parts of the region are below sea level and the ocean is only cut off by about a 20-metre block of land in Eritrea.

“Eventually this will drift apart,” he told the BBC World Service. “The sea will flood in and will start to create this new ocean.

“It will pull apart, sink down deeper and deeper and eventually… parts of southern Ethiopia, Somalia will drift off, create a new island, and we’ll have a smaller Africa and a very big island that floats out into the Indian Ocean.”

The researchers say that they are extremely lucky to be able to witness the birth of this ocean as the process is normally hidden beneath the seas.

The team hope to conduct experiments in the area that will help understand how the surface of the Earth is shaped.

They believe that the information they glean from observing the shaping of the Earth will help scientists better understand natural hazards such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

Ato Meles Zenawi, Prime Minister his arrival to Canada for the Muskoka 2010 G-8 Summit and the G-20 Toronto Summit

His Excellency Ato Meles Zenawi, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is welcomed by the minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, John Baird, upon his arrival to Canada for the Muskoka 2010 G-8 Summit and the G-20 Toronto Summit:
Images of his arrival in Toronto on Ethiopian Airlines

President Barack Obama arrived in Canada to attend the G20 and G8 summits. Images of his arrival in Toronto on Air Force One

Aend Ethiopia June 14, 2010

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Aend-Ethiopia Radio Address (Ethiopian 4th General Election 2010)

Aend Ethiopia Radio 06-27-2010

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Aend Ethiopia Radio 06-27-2010

Aend Ethiopian Live News From Addis Ababa 06-30-2010

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ESFNA: Kansas is in!!! It will join the ESFNA family as the 28th member team starting 2011.

Day 7 – Saturday July 3rd, 2010

See you at the Closing Event at the San Jose Convention Center folks…..let’s close it out real strong with a lineup of exciting entertainers!

• Winners Ethio-LA Stars – Division I
• Winners LA Vegas – Division II…they also go into division I next year.

Kansas is in!!! It will join the ESFNA family as the 28th member team starting 2011.

Division II Final

• Las Vegas over San Diego : 4 – 2

---

Aend Ethiopia Radio 07-04-201

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ESFNA Tournament 2010 San Jose, CA ETHIOPIAN DAY ~ Friday, July 2

ESFNA Tournament 2010 San Jose, CA ETHIOPIAN DAY ~ Friday, July 2

American Independence Day Message Delivered by U.S. Ambassador Donald Booth (Ethiopia)

Ethiopia bids farewell to opposition MPs

Ethiopia bids farewell to opposition MPs
July 8th, 2010 in News, Society
APA-Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) Ethiopia bade farewell to opposition members of Parliament (MPs) who were in the parliament for the past five years as the opposition scored poorly following the 23 May national elections in the country compared to the 2005 national election.

It could be recalled that, the ruling Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) won a landslide victory with 545 seats out of the 547 seats in the parliament in the May 2010 elections.

One independent candidate and another candidate from an opposition party won one seat each.

During the past five years, there has been a strong opposition presence in the Ethiopian parliament as they won over 100 seats in the 2005 national election.

The outgoing opposition MPs and members of the House of People’s Representative (lower house) as well as the House of Federation (upper house) have been handed appreciation certificate for their five-year contribution in the parliament.

The farewell ceremony was held on Wednesday evening at the national palace in the presence of Ethiopian PM Meles Zenawi and diplomats based in Ethiopia.

The 2005 legislature ended its five years term on Wednesday 7 July.

The new parliament, to be filled with ruling party members, is expected to start its work in October.

Aend Ethiopia Radio 07-11-2010

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2 Bomb Attacks in Uganda; 70 Feared Dead

New al-Qaida threat: Somali group claims blasts

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Office of the Spokesman

______________________________________________________________________________

July 12, 2010

STATEMENT BY SECRETARY CLINTON

Bombings in Uganda

I join President Obama in strongly condemning today’s attacks in Kampala, Uganda targeting innocent spectators watching the World Cup final.

We understand that American citizens may have been injured or killed and our embassy is reaching out to assist.  Our condolences go out to the families and friends of the victims, in the United States and Uganda.

At this tragic moment, the United States stands with Uganda.  We have a long-standing, close friendship with the people and government of Uganda and will work with them to bring the perpetrators of this crime to justice.

=====================

(CNN) — The death toll from a pair of bombings that struck a restaurant and a rugby ground in Uganda’s capital is around 60, a police spokeswoman told CNN on Monday.

Seventy-one more people were injured, said police spokeswoman Judith Nabakooba.
The blasts occurred Sunday night as patrons gathered to watch the World Cup final game between Spain and the Netherlands.

One explosion took place at an Ethiopian restaurant in Kampala; the other at a rugby field.
Americans may be among the dead or wounded, the U.S. State Department said.

The State Department did not elaborate nor did it definitively say whether any Americans died in the blast.
What is known for certain is that some of the wounded included six members of an American church mission working with a local congregation.

The Rev. Kathleen Kind, pastor of Christ Community United Methodist Church in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, confirmed those injuries Sunday.

“All of our members are accounted for and all of the families have been contacted,” Kind told CNN. She added that injuries ranged from broken bones and flesh wounds to temporary blindness and “hearing issues.”

She said congregants are now “praying here in the church and in their homes for our members.”

The bombs went off within 25 minutes of each other shortly after 10 p.m.(3 p.m. ET), as fans gathered in both locations. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for what Nabakooba called “definite acts of terrorism.”

Islamic militants battling Somalia’s U.N.-backed transitional government have threatened attacks on Uganda and Burundi, which contribute troops to an African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia. But Nabakooba said the investigation is not yet focused on any specific group.

Ethiopian immigrant student in Israel sues Egged driver for racism

Ethiopian immigrant student sues Egged driver for racism

Varkar, who is a behavioral science student at the Academic College of Management in Rishon Lezion said that the incident happened on August 9 on a bus bound from Rishon Lezion Central Bus Station to Tel Aviv. The driver initially refused to allow her to board but when he stopped at a nearby junction to allow another passenger to board, she jumped on the bus even though the driver allegedly shouted at her, “I don’t let Ethiopians on the bus.”

The driver has already been fined six weeks salary by an Egged disciplinary committee for unsuitable behavior and damaging Egged’s image after the student complained and the Ministry of Transport is also suing both Egged and the drive

Nelson Mandela turns 92, The United Nations inaugurated Nelson Mandela International Day

The United Nations inaugurated Nelson Mandela International Day, which will be celebrated each year on the former South African president’s birthday, July 18th.The day calls for people around the world to take action to make a difference in their communities.

በዩጋንዳው ፍንዳታ የተጠረጠሩት አራት ኢትዮጵያዊያን በነጻ ተለቀቁ

በዩጋንዳው ፍንዳታ የተጠረጠሩት አራት ኢትዮጵያዊያን በነጻ ተለቀቁ

የዩጋንዳ ፖሊስ ፍንዳታውን አስመልክቶ በሰጠው መግለጫ ጥቃቶቹ በሁለት አጥፍቶ ጠፊዎች መከናወናቸውን አስታውቆ፤ በጥርጣሬ የተያዙት ኢትዮጵያዊያን መለቀቃቸውን አረጋግጧል።

የፖሊሱ አዛዥ ካሌ ካይ-ሁራ ለጋዜጠኞች ሲናገሩ በፍንዳታው ከተሰበሰቡት አስከሬኖች መካከል የሁለቱን ሬሳ ፈልጎ የመጣ ሰው አልተገኘም። የሁለቱን ሰዎች ማንነት የሚያሳዩ ምስሎችንም ፖሊስ አሳይቷል።

በአለም አቀፍ የወንጀለኛ አዳኝ ፓሊስ ኢንተር-ፖል ድረ ገጽ የሚገኙት እንደገና የተሰሩ ምስሎች የአጥፍቶ ጠፊዎቹን ማንነት ከሞላ ጎደል እንደሚያሳዩም ተጠቁሟል። አንደኛው ሰው ሶማሊያን ጨምሮ ከአፍሪካ ቀንድ ሰዎች የፊት ምስል ጋር የሚቀራረብ የቆዳ ቀለም ያለው ሰው ሲሆን፤ ሌላኛው ሰፋ ያለ ፊትና ጥቁር የቆዳ ቀለም ያለው ነው።

የፖሊሱ አዛዥ ካሌ ካይሁራ እነዚህ ሰዎች የአጥፍቶ ጠፊዎች መሆናቸውን በእርግጠኝነት ይናገራሉ።

“እነዚሁ ሁለት አስከሬኖች፤ ከሌሎቹ ሬሳዎች በተለየ መልኩ፤ መጥቶ ስጡን ያለ ሰው የለም። አሁን አንድ ሳምንት ሆኗል። ሁሉም አስከሬኖች በዘመድ ተለይተው ርክክብ ተደርጓል። እነዚህን የጠየቀ የለም፤ ይሄ ደግሞ አጋጣሚ ሊሆን አይችልም፣” ብለዋል።

ካይሁራ አክለውም የሰዎቹን ማንነት ለማወቅ አለም አቀፍ ዘመቻ መጀመሩን አስታውቀዋል።

“ኢንተር-ፖል፤ FBI እና ሌሎች አጋር የፖሊስ ሀይሎች ስራዮ ብለው ፍለጋውን ቀጥለዋል። ማንነታቸውን ማወቅ ለምርመራችን ወሳኝ ስለሆነ፤ በአለም ዙሪያ የነዚህን ሰዎች ማንነት እያስፈለግን ነው።”

ለዚህ ምርመራ የተለያዩ የፖሊስ ግብረ-ሀይሎች ወደ ካምፓላ አምርተዋል። የአሜሪካው የደህንነት ተቛም FBI ከ60 በላይ መርማሪዎቹን ልኳል። የዩጋንዳው እለታዊ ሞኒተር ጋዜጣም የኢትዮጵያ የደህንነት ሰራተኞችም ምክር እየሰጡ መሆናቸውን አስነብቧል።

የኢትዮጵያ ደህነንት ባለስልጣናት የካምፓላውን ፍንዳታ ያቀነባበረው ግለሰብ አሁንም አለመያዙን መጠቆሙን ዴይሊ ሞኒተር ጽፏል። የሰውየውን ማንነት ያልጠቀሱ መንጮችን የጠቀሰው ዘገባ ተጠርጣሪው የሶማሊያ ዜጋ መሆኑን አስነብቧል።

የዩጋንዳ ፖሊስ ከፍንዳታዎቹ ጋር በተያያዘ 20 ሰዎችን አስሯል። እነዚህም  ዩጋንዳዊ፣ ፓኪስታናዊ፣ ኢትዮጵያዊና ሶማሊያዊ ዜግነት ያላቸው መሆናቸው ተጠቁሟል።

የፖሊስ አዛዥ ካሌ ካይሁራ ከነዚህ ሰዎች መካከል ተጠርጥረው የተያዙት ኢትዮጵያዊያን መፈታታቸውን ተናግረው፤ በፍንዳታው የውጭ ሀይሎች እጅ እንዳለበት ገልጸዋል።

“ከዚህ ፍንዳታ ጋር በቀጥታ የተገናኙ ሰዎችን መለየት የሚቻልበት ጊዜ ላይ አይደለግም። ገና ብዙ ስራ ይጠብቀናል በፍጥነት የምንናገረው የለም። መረጋገጥ ያለባቸው መረጃዎች አሉን። በነገራችን ላይ ፓኪስታናዊያን ብቻ አይደሉም፤ ከመካከላቸው ዩጋንዳዊያንም አሉበት።”

ለዚህ ፍንዳታ ሀላፊነቱን በሶማሊያ የሚንቀሳቀሰው የእስልምና አክራሪ ቡድን አል-ሸባብ ሀላፊነቱን ወስዷል። አልሸባብ “ፍንዳታዎቹ የአፍሪካ ህብረት የሰላም አስከባሪዎች የሚገድሏቸው ሰዎችን ደም ይበቀላል” ማለቱ ይታወሳል።

ማለዳ ተፈተዋል የተባሉት ኢትዮጵያዊያን እስከ ሰኞ ማታ ድረስ በእስር መዋላቸውን በካምፓላ የሚኖሩ ኢትዮጵያዊያን አረጋግጠዋል።

U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia, Donald E. Booth Travels to Bahir Dar

Addis Ababa, July 29, 2010:  U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia, Donald E. Booth, and his wife Anita Booth, traveled to Bahir Dar from July 28-29 to meet with regional and local officials, visit U.S. assistance

projects and programs, meet with American citizens and learn about economic development issues in the Amhara area.  He was accompanied by the Director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Ethiopia, Dr. Thomas Kenyon, and other U.S. Embassy staff.

During his first visit to the Amhara region, Ambassador Booth paid calls on Regional State President Ayalew Gobeze and the Bahir Dar City Mayor Alemayehu Sewagegne.  He also had the opportunity to meet with religious leaders from Bahir Dar’s newly launched Interfaith Peace Building Council and hear about their efforts to promote tolerance and interfaith dialogue in the region.

Ambassador Booth and Dr. Kenyon visited the National Defense Force of Ethiopia (NDFE) barracks in Bahar Dar to witness the HIV-AIDS peer education and prevention program supported by the U.S. Government through a cooperative agreement with NDFE.  They also received a briefing on the NDFE’s Modeling and Reinforcement to Combat HIV/AIDS (MARCH) programs.

Ambassador Booth and seven U.S. Peace Corps Volunteers who are working in the Amhara region visited the Aba Megesha Geneme Public Library and Information Center where there is an American Corner Library supported by the U.S. Embassy.  They received a briefing from the Jerusalem Children and Community Development Organization, which manages the library, about its development programs in the region.  The Ambassador also had the opportunity to meet with library clients, including high school students who had participated in the Embassy’s annual African American History Month essay contest.  Mrs. Booth visited the Children’s Library located on the same compound and participated in a special story hour with children from Bahir Dar.

Ambassador Booth also traveled to the Tana Beles Hydropower Plant, currently Ethiopia’s largest power plant.  He met with project personnel at the plant and received a plant tour.

Mrs. Booth visited the Tana Medhanealem Integrated Development Association to view U.S.-supported poultry farming and beekeeping projects, and meet with program beneficiaries.   ###

Peaceful demonstration August 05, 2010 (Slogans/Chantings)

Click the picture for more pic

Ethiopian and the US Export-Import Bank Sign $1.6 Billion Agreement

Ethiopian and the US Export-Import Bank Sign $1.6 Billion Agreement – 10 August, 2010
Ethiopian Airlines and the Export-Import Bank (Ex-Im Bank) of the United States have signed an agreement worth over $1.6 billion to support the financing of five B777-200LR and ten B787-8 aircraft and General Electric spare engines.

At a ceremony held at the 9th African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum in Washington DC on August 02, 2010, the financing documents were signed by Ethiopian Airlines CEO Girma Wake and Ex-Im Bank Chairman and President Fred P. Hochberg. The magnitude of the transaction represents the first of its kind for the support of the African aviation industry.

Upon signing the agreement Girma Wake said, ”Ethiopian would like to thank the management and Board of the US Ex-Im Bank for their unreserved support to Ethiopian Airlines. This agreement has significant contribution towards the development and growth of our airline.” He added, “Our sincere thanks also go to the African governments, leaders and our customers for the unwavering support to the success of Ethiopian Airlines. The signing of this agreement reaffirms the principles and objectives for which the AGOA stands and vividly reflects the forum’s firm commitment to advance the growth of the aviation industry in Africa.”

The US Ex-Im Bank President and Chairman Fred P. Hochberg said, “It is a pleasure to continue to work with and support one of Africa’s premier air carrier, Ethiopian Airlines. In fact, looking back at our relationship and discussing our latest transaction with our transportation team and Boeing, our relationship with Ethiopian Airlines is one of the best in the world. I want to thank Ethiopian Airlines, Boeing and our transportation team for making this possible and I look forward to strengthening this relationship.”

The successful and mutually advantageous bondage between the U.S. Ex-Im Bank and Ethiopian Airlines has been developed over the last 30 years, culminating in more than 1.6 billion in Ex-Im Bank’s approval of final and preliminary commitments to support the export of the five Boeing 777-200LR aircraft and ten Boeing 787-8 aircraft and the General Electric spare engines for Ethiopian Airlines.

The 9th AGOA Forum brought together high-level officials and business leaders of Africa and the US to promote trade and economic ties between the United States and Sub-Saharan Africa.

About Ethiopian

Ethiopian Airlines, one of the largest and fastest growing airlines in Africa, made its maiden flight to Cairo in 1946. With the recent addition of flight services to Pointe Noire, Ethiopian provides dependable services to 39 cities in Africa and a total of 59 international destinations spanning throughout four continents.

Ethiopian won the NEPAD Transport Infrastructure Excellence Awards 2009 on November 25, 2009 and “Airline of the Year” award from the African Airlines Association (AFRAA) on November 24, 2009, bringing the total Awards honored since January 2009 to five.

In August, 2008, Ethiopian won “the 2008 Corporate Achievement Award” of Aviation & Allied Business for setting the pace towards the development and growth of the African aviation industry.

Ethiopian is also the first African carrier to win the 2008 Brussels Airport Company Award in recognition of its distinguished long haul operations witnessed through the introduction of new routes, new products, and close cooperation with Brussels Airport in marketing activities.

Ethiopian was the winner of the ‘2008 Best Airline in Africa Award’ at the African Travel Award ceremony in Lagos, Nigeria, for its excellent network and convenient connections in Africa.

World’s Oldest Person Dies in Ethiopia

World’s Oldest Person Dies in Ethiopia on Sunday August 8, 2010

Ethiopia receives $780mn remittances from the Diaspora

APA-Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) Ethiopia has obtained around $780 million from remittances from Ethiopians in the Diaspora in the past ten months, the Ethiopian National Bank said here on Tuesday.

According to the bank, this year’s earnings from remittances exceed that of last year by about nine per cent.

An estimated one million Ethiopians are estimated to live outside their country, mostly in the United States and Europe.

The bank said that the amount of remittances Ethiopia is getting each year is on the rise, especially since the past three years.

“We have enforced a new legislation allowing the Diaspora to have saving accounts in US Dollars, which is encouraging many citizens to do so,” said the bank.

However, according to available information, Ethiopia is getting lower remittances than other neighbouring countries, such as Kenya and Egypt.

In 2007, Kenyans in the Diaspora had sent home nearly 1.6 billion dollars, achieving a per capita remittance of 42 dollars.

Ethiopians on the other hand sent home only 359 million dollars, with a per capita remittance of only four dollars, according to a United Nations report for 2009.

However, 1.2 billion to 1.5 billion dollars was remitted to Ethiopia through the non-banking system.

Ethiopia is expecting the remittances to rise to around one billion in the next few years.

Africa Oil Completes Acquisition of South Omo Block in Ethiopia

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, Aug 19, 2010 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) — Africa Oil Corp. /quotes/comstock/11v!aoi (CA:AOI 1.10, +0.01, +0.92%) (“Africa Oil” or “the Company”) is pleased to report that it has received Ministerial consent in connection with the previously announced Farmout Agreement with Agriterra Ltd. (formerly White Nile Ltd.) and the deal has now closed. Under the Farmout Agreement, Africa Oil Ethiopia B.V. (“AOEBV”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Africa Oil, has acquired an 80% participating interest in, and operatorship of, the South Omo Block in Ethiopia.

South Omo represents a new opportunity for Africa Oil to secure a highly prospective block in the Omo Rift Valley of south-western Ethiopia. The block spans 29,465 square kilometres and is within the Tertiary age East African Rift, just north of Lake Turkana, Kenya and within the same petroleum system as the Company’s Kenya Block 10BB and Tullow’s Uganda discoveries.

Pursuant to the Farmout Agreement AOEBV will pay 80% of past costs incurred by Agriterra, to a maximum of US$2,517,000, to earn its 80% participating interest. The payment of these past costs will be set-off against future cash calls made to Agriterra by AOEBV in respect of Agriterra’s 20% Participating Interest. AOEBV will also fund 100% of the costs associated with a work program comprised of 500 kilometres of 2D seismic, a field geology program, and a surface geochemistry program. Total cost exposure for this work program is estimated at $6.5 MM USD with the majority of these costs to be incurred in the first half of 2011.

Africa Oil Corp. is a Canadian oil and gas company with assets in Kenya, Ethiopia and Puntland (Somalia). Africa Oil’s East African holdings are in what is considered a truly world-class exploration play fairway. The Company’s total gross land package in this prolific region is approaching 250,000 square kilometers – an area roughly the size of Great Britain. The East African Rift Basin system is one of the last of the great rift basins to be explored. New discoveries have been announced on all sides of Africa Oil’s virtually unexplored land position including the major Tullow Albert Graben oil discovery in neighbouring Uganda. Similar to the Albert Graben play model, Africa Oil’s concessions have older wells, a legacy database, and host numerous oil seeps indicating a proven petroleum system. Good quality existing seismic show robust leads and prospects throughout Africa Oil’s project areas. The Company is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol “AOI”.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements made and information contained herein constitute “forward-looking information” (within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation). Such statements and information (together, “forward looking statements”) relate to future events or the Company’s future performance, business prospects or opportunities. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to estimates of reserves and or resources, future production levels, future capital expenditures and their allocation to exploration and development activities, future drilling and other exploration and development activities, ultimate recovery of reserves or resources and dates by which certain areas will be explored, developed or reach expected operating capacity, that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management.

All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements. Statements concerning proven and probable reserves and resource estimates may also be deemed to constitute forward-looking statements and reflect conclusions that are based on certain assumptions that the reserves and resources can be economically exploited. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as “seek”, “anticipate”, “plan”, “continue”, “estimate”, “expect, “may”, “will”, “project”, “predict”, “potential”, “targeting”, “intend”, “could”, “might”, “should”, “believe” and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be “forward-looking statements”. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. The Company believes that the expectations reflected in those forward-looking statements are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements should not be unduly relied upon. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable laws. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties relating to, among other things, changes in oil prices, results of exploration and development activities, uninsured risks, regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of materials and equipment, timeliness of government or other regulatory approvals, actual performance of facilities, availability of financing on reasonable terms, availability of third party service providers, equipment and processes relative to specifications and expectations and unanticipated environmental impacts on operations. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Keith Hill, President and CEO

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

ኢትዮጵያዊው ባለሀብት ግዮን ሆቴልን በሰባት ቢሊዮን ብር ሊገነቡ ነው

አክሊለ ብርሃን መኮንን ኃይለ ሥላሴ የተባሉ ኢትዮጵያዊ ኢንቬስተር ‹‹ግራንድ ግዮን ሆቴል›› በሚል ስያሜ አንድ ባለ አራት ኮከብና አንድ ባለ አምስት ኮከብ ሆቴል በሰባት ቢሊዮን ብር ወጪ ለመገንባት ከፕራይቬታይዜሽን ኤጀንሲ ጋር ከትናንት በስቲያ ስምምነት ተፈራረሙ፡፡

የሆቴሉን ግንባታ የሚያከናውነው ድንቅነሽ ኩባንያቸው 80 በመቶ፣ የኢትዮጵያ መንግሥት ደግሞ 20 በመቶ ድርሻ ይኖራቸዋል፡፡

የአፄ ኃይለ ሥላሴ የልጅ ልጅ መሆናቸውን በመግለጽ፣ ‹‹ልዑል›› የሚባልበት ዘመን ስላለፈ ‹‹ልዑል አክሊለ ብርሃን የሚለውን ስም አልጠቀም›› በማለት ዶ/ር ቆስጠንጢኖስ በረሀ ከጋዜጠኞች ጋር ያስተዋወቋቸው የድንቅነሽ ኩባንያ ሥራ አስኪያጅ አክሊለ ብርሃን መኮንን፣ ትናንት በሒልተን ሆቴል በሰጡት ጋዜጣዊ መግለጫ እንዳስታወቁት፣ የግዮን ሆቴልን ለመግዛት በጨረታ ከተሳተፉት 12 የውጪ ኩባንያዎች መካከል ድንቅነሽ ኩባንያ በገንዘብም ሆነ በዲዛይን በልጦ ስለተገኘ የጨረታው አሸናፊ ሆኗል፡፡

ግራንድ ግዮን ሆቴል በሚል ስያሜ አሁን ግዮን ሆቴል ባረፈበት ቦታ ላይ የሚገነባው አዲሱ ሆቴል፣ አንድ ባለአራት ኮከብ ሆቴልና አንድ ባለአምስት ኮከብ ሆቴል የሚኖሩት ሲሆን፣ የባለአራቱ ኮከብ ሆቴል ግንባታ በአንድ ዓመት ከአራት ወር ጊዜ ውስጥ ሲያልቅ የባለአምስት ኮከቡ ሆቴል ግንባታ ደግሞ በሶስት ዓመት ተኩል ጊዜ ውስጥ ይጠናቀቃል፡፡

በግዮን ሆቴል ውስጥ መዋኛ ሥፍራ ላይ ባለ አራት ኮከብ ሆቴሉ እንደሚሠራ፣ የዚህ ባለአራት ኮከብ ሆቴል ግንባታ ሲጠናቀቅ ደግሞ በአሁኑ ጊዜ አገልግሎት የሚሰጠው ሆቴል ሙሉ በሙሉ ፈርሶ ባለአምስት ኮከቡ ሆቴል ግንባታ እንደሚጀመር አቶ አክሊለ ብርሃን ገልጸዋል፡፡ ድንቅነሽ ኩባንያ ሁለቱን ሆቴሎች ለማሠራት ወደ ሰባት ቢሊዮን ብር ገደማ ወጪ የሚያደርግ ሲሆን፣ ግዮን ሆቴል ያረፈበትን ቦታና ቁሳቁሶች በዓይነት 100 ሚሊዮን ዶላር የገመተው የፕራይቬታይዜሽን ኤጀንሲ የአዲሱ ግራንድ ግዮን ሆቴል የ20 በመቶ ባለድርሻ ሆኗል፡፡

የድንቅነሽ ኩባንያ ሥራ አስኪያጅ አቶ አክሊለ ብርሃን እንደገለጹት፣ ድርጀታቸው የሚያስገነባው አዲሱ ሆቴል በአፍሪካ ውስጥ በመጠኑም ሆነ በዓይነቱ ከፍተኛ ጥራት ያለው የመጀመሪያ ሆቴል ይሆናል፡፡
የሄሊኮፕተር ማረፊያዎች እንዲኖሩት ተደርጎ የሚገነባው ይኸው ሆቴል፣ የአፍሪካ ኅብረት ስብሰባዎች በሚደረጉበት ጊዜ የሁሉንም አገሮች መሪዎች ማስተናገድ የሚችሉ የፕሬዚዳንት ልዩ ማረፊያዎች እንደሚኖሩትም ተገልጿል፡፡ የሆቴሉ ዋና መግቢያ የሚሆነው በመስቀል አደባባይ ፊት ለፊት ያለው ሥፍራ ነው፡፡

ኢንቨስትሩ አክሊለ ብርሃን መኮንን ኃይለ ሥላሴ ኢትዮጵያ ውስጥ መጥተው ኢንቬስት ለማድረግ የሚያስችል የገንዘብ አቅም ያላቸው መሆኑን የሚገልጽ ማስረጃ ከውጪ አገር ባንኮች ይዘው የመጡ ሲሆን፣ ማስረጃው በኢትዮጵያ ኤምባሲዎች ታትሞና በውጪ ጉዳይ ሚኒስቴር ታይቶ ለፕራይቬታይዜሽን ኤጀንሲ ቀርቧል፡፡

‹‹በሚቀጥለው ሳምንት አዲሱ ግራንድ ግዮን ሆቴል ይቋቋማል፡፡ ሆቴሉ ከተቋቋመ በኋላ ቦርድ ተመስርቶ ሥራዎችን ማከናወን እንጀምራለን፤›› ሲሉ የኢንቬስተሩ ተወካይ መሆናቸውን የገለጹት ዶ/ር ቆስጠንጢኖስ ተናግረዋል፡፡

የሆቴሉን ግንባታ ሥራ ለመጀመር ከሚደረገው እንቅስቃሴ ጎን ለጎን ድንቅነሽ ኩባንያ ሆቴሉን ከሚያስተዳድሩ ዓለም አቀፍ ሆቴሎች ጋር ውድድር ሲያካሂድ መቆየቱን የጠቆሙት ዶ/ር ቆስጠንጢኖስ፣ በአሁኑ ወቅት ኢንተርኮንቲኔንታል ሆቴል፣ ሆቴሉን ለማስተዳደር ዝግጁነቱን የገለጸ መሆኑን አስታውቀዋል፡፡

ኢንተርኮንቲኔንታል ሆቴል በዓለም ውስጥ 4800 ሆቴሎችን የሚያስተዳድር መሆኑንና በስፋትም ሆነ በጥራቱ በዓለም አንደኛ ደረጃን የያዘ ኩባንያ መሆኑን ዶ/ር ቆስጠንጢኖስ አስታውቀዋል፡፡
ለሆቴሉ ግንባታ ሰባት ቢሊዮን ብር ገደማ ለማውጣት የተዘጋጁት የሆቴሉ ሥራ ያዋጣኛል ብለው ነው ወይስ ለአገርዎ ልዩ ፍቅር ስላለዎት? በሚል ከሪፖርተር ለቀረበላቸው ጥያቄ አቶ አክሊለ ብርሃን ሲመልሱ፣ ‹‹እትብቱ ኢትዮጵያ ውስጥ የተቀበረና ኢትዮጵያ ውስጥ የተወለደ ማንኛውም ሰው ሀብታምም ሆነ ድሃ ተመልሶ ወደ አገሩ ነው የሚመጣው፡፡ አሁን በምኖርበት አገር ገንዘብ ቢኖረኝም፣ አገሬን ለማሳደግ ፍላጎት አለኝ፤›› የሚል ምላሽ ሰጥተዋል፡፡ በአሁኑ ጊዜ አገሪቱ በከፍተኛ ፍጥነት እያደገች መሆኗን የገለጹት አቶ አክሊለ ብርሃን፣ ለወደፊቱ ኩባንያቸው የሆቴሉን ኢንዱስትሪ ለማስፋፋት በላሊበላና በአክሱም አካባቢ የሚሠራው ሥራ እንደሚኖር፣ ኢንቨስትመንቱም በግዮን ሆቴል ግንባታ ላይ ብቻ እንደማይወሰን አስታውቀዋል፡፡

ድንቅነሽ ኩባንያ በአቶ አክሊለ ብርሃንና በቤተሰቦቻቸው የተቋቋመ ኩባንያ ሲሆን፣ (ድንቅነሽ የአቶ አክሊለ ብርሀን ባለቤት ስም ነው) እንግሊዝ ውስጥ ስምንት፣ ጀርመን ውስጥ ደግሞ ሁለት ኩባንያዎች አሉት፡፡ ዋና መቀመጫውን ስዊዘርላንድ ያደረገው ይኼው ኩባንያ፣ በስቶክ ኤክስቼንጅ ኢንቨስትመንት ላይ የተሰማራ መሆኑንም አቶ አክሊለ ብርሃን አክለው ገልጸዋል፡፡

ከኢንቨስትመንቱ ውጪ ኢትዮጵያ ውስጥ በሰብዓዊ ዕርዳታ ላይ ያደረጉት ተሳትፎ ስለመኖሩ ጥያቄ የቀረበላቸው አቶ አክሊለ ብርሃን፣ በድሬዳዋ የጎርፍ አደጋ ጊዜ ድርጅታቸው እርዳታ የለገሰ መሆኑን፣ አድዋ ውስጥ የንግስት ሳባ ትምህርት ቤትን ማሳደሳቸውን፣ በአዲስ አበባ ቅድስተ ሥላሴ ቤተክርስቲያን 2ሺሕ 500 ተማሪዎችን የማስተናገድ አቅም ያለው ሁለተኛ ደረጃ ትምህርት ቤት ለመገንባት ሥራ መጀመራቸውንና በጅማ አካባቢም የተለያዩ የበጎ አድራጎት ሥራዎች መሥራታቸውን ጠቁመዋል፡፡

‹‹እኛ ለሚጎዳው ሕዝብ መድረስ እንጂ የሠራነውን ሥራ ማስተዋወቅ (publicity) አንፈልግም፤›› ያሉት አቶ አክሊለ ብርሃን፣ በቀጣይ ጊዜዎችም ኩባንያቸው አክሱም ውስጥ በ20 ሚሊዮን ዶላር ሙዚየም ለማስገንባት መወሰኑንና ጅማ ውስጥም ሆስፒታል ለማሠራት ማሰቡን ተናግረዋል፡፡

‹‹አዲሱ ሆቴሉ ሲገነባ በአሁኑ ጊዜ ግዮን ውስጥ የሚሠሩ ሠራተኞች እጣ ፈንታ ምን ይሆናል?›› በሚል ለቀረበላቸው የሪፖርተር ጥያቄ ምላሽ ሲሰጡ፣ ጨረታውን ያሸነፍንበት አንደኛው ምክንያት የሠራተኞች ጉዳይ ነው፤ ‹‹ኢትዮጵያዊ ስለሆንኩ ማንኛውም ኢትዮጵያዊ ሥራውን ለቆ እንዲወጣ አልፈልግም፤ ሆቴሉ ሲገነባ ሠራተኞቹ ለአንድ ዓመትና ለሁለት ዓመት ትምህርት ተሰጥቷቸው ሥራቸውን እንዲቀጥሉ ይደረጋል፡፡ ለጡረታ የደረሱ ሰዎች ካሉም የጡረታ ክፍያ እየሰጠን እናሰናብታለን፤›› ብለዋል፡፡

Ethiopian birr devalued, IMF welcomes move

ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) – The Ethiopian birr was devalued by 16.7 percent on Wednesday, according to exchange rates published on the central bank’s website, a move welcomed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The birr was quoted by the National Bank of Ethiopia at a weighted average of 16.3514 against the dollar compared with 13.6284 on Tuesday. A central bank official confirmed the new rate but was not authorised to make further comment.

“The IMF welcomes this move given it will help bolster Ethiopia’s competitiveness,” IMF representative in Ethiopia, Sukhwinder Singh, told Reuters. “It will need to be supported by appropriate monetary policy.”

Last month, the government unveiled an ambitious five-year economic plan which targets average annual economic growth of 14.9 percent over the period and aims to end the Horn of Africa nation’s dependence on food aid.

Ethiopia is Africa’s biggest coffee exporter and the world’s fourth largest exporter of sesame. It is also one of Africa’s biggest potential markets — with a population of 80 million — and most of its people have no telephones or bank accounts.

The devaluation is the Horn of Africa nation’s fourth since January 2009. Devaluations can spur economic growth and reduce current account deficits to the extent they boost exports and discourage imports, although they carry the risk of importing inflation.

‘DEPRECIATION LIKELY TO CONTINUE’

“I think it’s related to the new five-year plan and a strategy of export promotion and import substitution,” Tewodros Mekonnen, an economist with local think tank, the Ethiopian Economic Association, told Reuters.

“Support for Democracy and Human Rights in Ethiopia” (A Week in the Horn )

“Support for Democracy and Human Rights in Ethiopia”

Last week, US Senators Feingold and Leahy introduced a draft bill into the US Senate. It was entitled ‘Support for Democracy and Human Rights in Ethiopia, Act of 2010.’ Any bill that is introduced into the US Senate is, of course, a matter of US internal affairs. And we wouldn’t criticize Senators for anything they might wish to place before the Senate of the US, even if it does deal with the internal affairs of other countries. Indeed, we would entirely welcome support for democracy in Ethiopia. As we have frequently emphasized, democracy, together with good governance and respect for human rights, is a necessity for the survival of Ethiopia and for the achievement of the eradication of poverty, the main aim of government development strategy. This, indeed, is why we spend a great deal of time and energy ensuring the strengthening of democratic governance.

At the same time, this bill is something of a puzzle. Under the heading ‘findings’, it does contains sizeable factual errors and fails to notice numerous relevant details. Senators Feingold and Leahy really ought to know by now that Ethiopia, far from refusing to comply with the arbitration of the Ethiopian Eritrean Border Commission, fully accepted the Delimitations Decisions of the Commission nearly six years ago, in November 2004. Since then,Ethiopia has made repeated efforts to encourage demarcation of the border according to international practices, to enter into dialogue with the government of Eritrea and to normalize relations. These efforts have been repeatedly rebuffed by Eritrea. Eritrea has coupled this with the takeover of the Temporary Security Zone between the two countries and the arbitrary expulsion of the UN Mission, the guarantor of the integrity of the TSZ, and another of whose jobs was supposed to be oversight of the demarcation process. Eritrea has in fact to all intents and purposes nullified the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement of June 2000, the central plank of the peace agreement which ended the war started by Eritrea in May 1998. It is not Ethiopia which has made demarcation impossible.

The ‘finding’ on the Somali Regional State is similarly inaccurate, making no mention of, inter alia, such important developments as the peace deal signed between the government and the United Western Somali Liberation Front (UWSLF) in March, or the agreement currently being negotiated between the government and the major faction of the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) which will be signed next month. It makes no mention of recent major advances in the provision of health, education, infrastructure, IT and energy supplies in the Somali Regional State, nor of the significant administrative and financial devolution down to woreda, even kebele, level.

The source of any claim of “credible” reports of gross violations of human rights in the Somali Regional State is the Asmara-based ONLF fraction, refracted through Human Rights Watch, whose methodology and checking procedures have been shown to be seriously flawed. In its last report on the Ogaden region, over two years ago, HRW admitted relying solely upon external, often telephonic, contacts with refugees and ONLF sources, all outside Ethiopia. It made little or no effort to establish the accuracy of claims on the ground. Other reports, indeed, clearly demonstrated multiple errors in HRW’s claims.

The other difficulty with this bill is its failure to notice that a number of the demands it makes have actually been going on for years. We have, in ‘A Week in the Horn’ for example, listed details of the extensive and regular education provided for all levels of the Ethiopian Defense Forces in human rights and accountability. Any credible allegations of abuse are automatically investigated; appropriate punishment is given if proven. We would, however, admit that details of such procedures are not normally released to the US Senate. It is hardly the appropriate body to be kept informed of such internal disciplinary matters. There is a major program for strengthening the independence and capacity of the judiciary, supported by a number of international donors, which has been going on for several years. There are no political leaders who have been jailed for political reasons; any in custody have been arrested on civil or criminal charges. Humanitarian and development ‘entities’, including those of the UN, are welcome anywhere in Ethiopia and have complete access unless security preclude this, as for example close to the Eritrean border, or in areas of the Somali Regional State where the ONLF was carrying out terrorist attacks in 2007-2008.

It is, in fact, disconcerting that two such prominent Senators should spend so much time and energy on the internal affairs of a country with which the US has a close and, we believe, a valuable relationship. We would, in this context, have expected a real and particular effort to get the facts straight. Equally, however, at the end of the day, perhaps the biggest surprise is that Senators Feingold and Leahy should concentrate on Ethiopia when there are so many more serious concerns for the international community in our own region: the dangers posed by the situation in Somalia, by the possibility of expanding extremism and terrorism, the operations of Al-Shabaab and piracy, the risks to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in Sudan, and the destabilization activities of Eritrea throughout our region which have after all been recognized as a major problem by the international community. It is ironic that the two Senators even appear unaware of Security Council Resolution 1907. This is indeed emblematic of the flaws in their draft bill. All these are very real threats to international peace and security. It is hardly surprising that we find it difficult to understand why Senators Feingold and Leahy should focus on allegations, most unchecked and largely inaccurate, concerning Ethiopia.