Addis Weg was held today (August 27th 2020) at the Prime Minister’s Office entitled “From Sheger to Ethiopia”. The discussion focused on the process, benefits, and experiences obtained from the three major development projects of Addis Ababa; Unity, Sheger and Entoto Parks.
Minister of Innovation and Technology Dr. Abraham Belay, State Minister for the Ministry of Finance Dr. Eyob Tekalign, Chief Executive Officer of the Ethiopian Roads Authority Eng. Habtamu Tegegn and Meskerem Aseged, the founder of Zoma Museum and an investor in the development projects, participated in the discussion. Stakeholder institution representatives have also taken part.
The panelists shared the process, the experience gained and the challenges faced in the execution of the projects. They also explained the benefits of the projects beyond image building. The focus on the tourism sector enables Ethiopia to easily compete with its neighbors. Hence, the benefits outweigh the efforts extended in this regard. These and future projects, as part of the homegrown economic reform process, support sustainable development in all sectors beyond tourism. It was pointed out that Ethiopia’s potential for economic growth, which scholars argued was over, has not yet been tapped. The projects are said to embody the future prosperity of Ethiopia.
Starting relatively small and transitioning to larger projects is believed to encourage all Ethiopians to start small and to start from themselves. The successful completion of all these projects has developed the trust between the public and the government. Beautifying the places without affecting the ecosystem stands as a testament for the excellent skills of Ethiopians. In addition to creating employment opportunities, the projects have paved the way for equitable participation of both genders.
The quality and timely completion of the projects, job creation, and strengthening public-private partnerships have been mentioned among the benefits. Resources both in kind and finance were mobilized creatively and put to work. The process has also encouraged volunteerism proving that Ethiopia is rich in purpose driven citizens. Stimulating patriotism, promoting the rich assets of different parts of our country as well as cultivating respect and love are also mentioned as the outcomes of the projects. It is stated that these experiences will contribute significantly to the upcoming regional projects, as well as to the sectoral efforts towards prosperous Ethiopia.
