| |
Inauguration ceremonies for the Project for Establishing aWater Supply System in the Dara Woreda, and the Project for the Construction of the Abore Bridge in the Bensa Woreda, both in Sidama Zone, SNNPRS, were held on Saturday 28 April, 2012. These projects were funded by the Japanese Grant-in-aid Scheme for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP), amounting to a total of USD 224,717.H.E. Mr. Hiroyuki KISHINO, Ambassador of Japan to Ethiopia celebrated the completion of these two projects together with Ato Million Mathewos, Adminstrator of Sidama Zone, representatives of the Sidama Zone, and members of the communities.
In both inauguration ceremonies, H.E. Mr. Hiroyuki KISHINO, Ambassador of Japan to Ethiopia, expressed his congratulations when handing over the water system and the bridge to the respective communities. The Ambassador expressed his hope that the communities would make the most use of the newly built water system and bridge to improve their lives and thus enjoy great benefits. He also emphasized, “It is important that these facilities should be maintained in good condition so that they would serve the local interests for a long time”.
In the Kebado Kebele, Dara Woreda, over 8,000 residents have been struggling with one water supply system constructed by the local government about 30 years ago when the population of the village was only 500. Access to potable water there was only 20%. Therefore, by developing a new water supply system, utilizing one bore hole dug by the Sidama Zone office two years ago, this project has benefitted 4,000 residents in the Kebado Kebele, who no longer have to depend on unprotected water and are thus relieved from the accompanying burdens and risks.
“The residents of Shanta Wene, Bonbe and Huro Tibro villages of the Bensa Woreda depend entirely on Daye town across the Bonora River for major social and economic services. Previously, they used a small temporary bridge constructed by the local community and easily washed away by flooding. Each time the bridge became unusable, the villagers had to take a detour, walking an extra 30km”, His Excellency noted. However, this project has improved access to markets, health and education services across the Bonora River by constructing a bridge of reinforced concrete, 20 meters in length and 5.6 meters in width, with 29 meter bridge wings. Through this project, more than 40,000 residents living in the three villages are now economically and socially connected. The Bensa Woreda has the potential of further development as one of the major Sidama coffee producing areas, with 36 coffee factories.
The GGP scheme was first introduced in 1989, and thus it has a history of 22 years to date. In Ethiopia, since 1997, over 300 projects have been implemented under this scheme in such sectors as education, water supply, health services, and other basic human needs.
|
|
