Remarks by H.E. Hiroyuki Kishino, Ambassador of Japan to Ethiopia
at the 1st Signing Ceremony for GGPs for JFY 2012
at the Embassy of Japan on 25 January, 2013

Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

           Endemen Walachehu.

It is one of the most pleasant duties for me to sign grant contracts for grassroots human security projects (GGPs) with prominent project partners.  This is the first signing ceremony for JFY2012, and today two grant contracts for GGPs have been concluded.  One is a water supply project and the other a rural infrastructure development project, both in the Oromia Regional State.

First of all, I would like to express my sincere congratulations to our project partners.  Both of them are important and reliable partners for us in implementing community-based projects in various parts of Ethiopia.

Now, I would like to introduce each project briefly.  The first project is for a water supply, sanitation and hygiene in the Nubarie Ife Kebele, Guduru Woreda, Oromia Region with funding of about USD 119,000.  Our project partner is the Gurmuu Development Association, represented here today by Ato Abebayehu Jebessa, Managing Director of the Association.

Access to safe water in the Guduru Woreda remains less than 20%.  In the Nubarie Ife Kebele, however, the situation is even worse as no water supply system is available.  The residents depend primarily on springs and other unprotected water sources far from their residences.  As a result, women and children in particular are forced to undertake the heavy duty of fetching water every day, walking long distances.  This deprives them of their chances to engage with agriculture or to go to school.  In addition, the residents face the risk of water-borne diseases, and 35% of them suffer from diarrhea and parasitic diseases.  These are the reasons why the Embassy of Japan decided to recommend this project to Tokyo for approval.

Through this project, a water supply system will be installed in the village, which includes one spring capping, two water reservoirs, one generator, one pump, four water distribution points, four washing basins, a communal shower facility and water pipelines of 7,584m.  A cattle trough will also be set up so that the water for people and animals is separated.  As a result, access to safe water will be drastically improved, and 2,320 residents will enjoy safe water without the fear of water-borne diseases.

The second project is for the construction of a bridge and road in the Wuchale Woreda, North Showa Zone, Oromia Region with funding of about 120,000 USD.  Our project partner is the God for People Relief and Development Organization, represented here today by Ato Seralign Abera, Executive Director of the Organization.

The residents of Bosoke Jatti and three other neighboring villages have to cross the Telavi River to reach markets to sell their crops and access education, medical services and other social services since major facilities are located along the trunk road across the river.  In the rainy season, however, their access to the trunk road is disrupted as the Telavi River is often flooded.  The road is narrow and becomes muddy.  As a result, the economic and social activities in these four villages are seriously affected.  This is the reason why the Embassy of Japan decided to recommend this project to Tokyo for approval.

This project, therefore, aims to improve access throughout the year to markets and social services for the residents in the area by constructing a bridge of reinforced concrete, 62m in length and 4m in width, over the Telavi River and a concrete road of about 1.7km with two culverts.  As a result, the 14,000 residents living in this area will be able to cross the river safely throughout the year.  The transportation of crops will also be improved with the use of vehicles.  This will bring significant economic and social benefits to the entire area.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is gratifying for us that these projects will be managed by such respected partners in the coming year.  They will be significantly conducive to the empowerment of vulnerable and marginalized people in need and contribute to the economic and social development of the respective communities.

Before I conclude, I would like to remind our project partners that these projects awarded this time should be implemented in a timely manner, with my project coordinator in charge well informed of the progress and changes in plan, if any.  It is also critically important that the benefits of the project should be enjoyed by people in the respective local communities as this is one of the most significant characteristics of GGPs.

Amesegenalehu.