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Vol. LXXV No 152 Wednesday 6 March 2019 - Yekatit 27, 2011 Price Birr 5.75

See Higher education ... page 2

BY MENGISTEAB TESHOME

ADDIS ABABA - As universities and colleges around the world seek opportunities to develop mutuality and beneficial relationships, it is high time to focus on internalization, said Ministry of Science and Higher Education (MoSHE) and U.S. Embassy in Ethiopia yesterday.

Speaking at workshop held with a theme “International and capacity building in Ethiopia Higher Education” Minister of Science and Higher Education Professor Hirut Woldemariam said that Ethiopia has turned a corner to usher in new opportunities and path that leads to prosperity and betterment of the lives of its citizens.

“We are on trajectory of unprecedented socio-economic growth and development. What was, just two decades ago, thought to be unthinkable is now not only achievable but within our reach.”

The country needs competent enough human capital in the global knowledge economy, hence, to actualize this, the Ministry has already made assessments and evaluated its journey in the education sector and decided to reform the sector.

According to her, the Ministry is

Higher education to work on Internationalization

Professor Hirut Woldemariam Minister of Science and Higher Education and U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia Micheal Raynor

working with pertinent stakeholders in laying the foundation for the shift areas that it has already identified.

“I am certain the internationalization efforts could serve us as a means of achieving a better system in our higher education, quality higher education, research and knowledge production,” she noted.

U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia Micheal Raynor for his part said: “we are working to share best practices

from the U.S. perspective. We look to U.S. universities to help our young people develop new ideas, encounter new experiences, broaden critical thinking skills, think about their place in the world and prepare them to fill the jobs we need to keep our economy running, and innovate and bring the next big ideas to fruition”.

BY ROBEL YOHANNES

ADDIS ABABA - A project agreement that targets teachers of Horn of Africa and Sahel countries was signed between UNESCO International Institute for Capacity Building in Africa (UNESCO-IICBA) and Japan here in Addis yesterday.

The agreed project is worth 500 thousand USD, and it aims to continue build peace and resilience in the minds’ of teachers in Africa, of which Ethiopia is part of.

Signing the agreement, Japan’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, Daisuke Matsunaga said that peace-building is very important for the peace and stability of Horn of Africa, and the whole continent, and the reason why Japan supports the project.

The project is about sowing the seeds of peace, reconciliation and tolerance in the hearts of young people; so, it is a very long term project. “We have witnessed a very positive development in the region,

where, for instance, the new Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed initiated reconciliation with Eritrea,” he added.

Moreover, the Ambassador stated that the hope and aspirations of the program is to help African people become wiser not to be exploited by other people with their own agenda, by teaching them from Japan’s own experience.

Dr. Yuniko Yokozeki, Director of ICCBI, for her part said that the project is a continuation of the past two years to consolidate the efforts to implement teacher training and development for peace-building in the Horn and Sahel countries.

Stating that concrete results have been gained in the Horn, where the Institute’s involvement with the AU became stronger, Dr. Yokozeki stated that they have trained 6500 thousand teachers in six countries of the Horn, where 1000 teachers were from Ethiopia.

On the occasion, the Director recommended countries [part of

Prime Minster Dr. Abiy and Somalia President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed

BY MENGISETAB TESHOME

ADDIS ABABA - Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed held bilateral discussions with the Somali President H.E. Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed at his office yesterday as Prime Minister Office stated.

The discussions focused on four key issues including the strengthening of regional peace per the agreements signed previously; mechanisms to ensure Kenya-Somali relations are strengthened; continuation of joint port development; and ensuring that

relations with the administration of Somaliland support regional peace.

In the same development, Prime Minister Secretarial Head Nigusu Tilahun told the Ethiopia News Agency that the two leaders discussed on ways to forge bilateral relations and address challenges happening in the region.

The Premier also conducted bilateral discussions with Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, Eritrea’s President Isaias Afwerki and South Sudanese President Salva Kiir Mayardit .

President of Somalia on state visit

UNESCO, Japan sign peace-building project

• Grant contract signed for school expansion in Afar State

See UNESCO, Japan sign ... page 2

THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD WEDNESDAY 6 MARCH 2019 PAGE 2

NATIONAL EPHI urges stakes strengthen efforts

to eradicate GWBY MENGISTEAB TESHOME

ADDIS ABABA – The Ethiopian Public Health Institution (EPHI) urged stakeholders to consolidate efforts to realize Guinea Worm (GW) free Ethiopia.

Institute Director General Dr. Eba Abate said that Ethiopia is making considerable efforts to eradicated GW disease. And the effort has borne fruits. However, to fully eradicate it and certified the country as free of guinea-worm disease (dracunculiasis) cases, coordinated efforts of stakes is vital.

The Director General noted that the Institute has established its structure up to woreda levels to strengthen public health management efforts. “We need stakes to work with the EPHI. The Institute has success stories in meeting MDGs and SDGS in the health sector. If all pertinent bodies work in coordination, Ethiopia will be certified in a short period of time as it is in the right track to report zero guinea worm cases.”

According to him, a country endemic for dracunculiasis reporting zero indigenous cases over a complete calendar year is deemed to have prevented transmission of guinea-worm disease and is classified as being in the precertification phase.

To be declared free of dracunculiasis, a country that has stopped transmission of the disease must have reported zero indigenous cases through active surveillance for at least three consecutive years, as he elaborated.

According to him, Ethiopian guinea worm eradication program has been running for the last 25 years reducing huge figure to zero and no human case reported for a solid year. However, the country should have been eradicated it many years ago. And Ethiopia is still one of the four Africa nations not free from GW, he said.

“To change the reality health, investment, social affair as well Water Development Bureau of the States and development partners should show strengthen efforts than ever before,”

he noted. According to him, unless national

program keeping on in materializing intensified interventions, including stringent surveillance, greater promotion of cash rewards, rapid response to rumors of infections, and aggressive treatment of potentially contaminated water sources, that resulted in zero human cases in 2018 could be reversed .

Gambella State Health Bureau Head Kan Gatluak for his part said taht the new leadership is showing high-level of political commitment in bolstering the eradication campaign. “We know that lack of coordination was the major problem.”

To abate the challenges new Council in charge of supervising the progress has become operational. Investors who are operating in the State are working in line with the investment law of the nation.

“As Health Bureau we will work on it. The Council in its part should discharge its responsibility accordingly,” Kan remarked.

According to Ambassador Raynor Ethiopia is looking to a future that is fundamentally different from today, as it builds a future that is both more inclusive and more prosperaous, Ethiopian youth must be prepared to lead the way and that process can start with their universities experiences.

The prime objective of the workshop is strengthening the

capacity of Ethiopian institutions to attract and develop the talent that can prepare Ethiopia’s students for the challenges they and their country will face in the future.

The workshop was in attendance of over 80 public and private higher education institutions, American scholars, and Ethiopian alumni of U.S. exchange programs.

Higher education...

BY TAMERU REGASA

ADDIS ABABA - Having accurate population data is more valuable than having surplus resources. Hence, in the fourth National Housing and Population Census, government and all stakes should work to get the reliable data of the population, recommended experts

Ass. Prof. Terefe Degefa, a Lecturer at Addis Ababa University said that all development activities undertaken by government are designed based on the information gathered during the housing and population census. In this regard, having quality census data is vital.

Government that has no real data of its population cannot conduct proper national planning. And in order to realize development plans fairly across the country, the size, density, demography and other variables of the community should be known.

“Population data, if undertaken properly, can be used a guiding resource to solve every political, social and economic challenges of the country”

Unless care is taken from the beginning, [when it is collected,

interpreted and analyzed] the end result would be unreliable and fake which affects the country in multiple ways.

To curb the challenges, the government should work to raise the awareness of the general public towards the value of the count, he remarked

Hailu Rafera also a Lecturer at Addis Ababa University on his part said that undertaking housing and population census has vital advantages to devise public based policies, strategies and development plans by identifying the interests and limitations of a given community.

He stressed that during housing and population census, an error can occur due to various reasons. The case is not unusual. Though South Africa is recognized as a model in Africa, in terms of conducting relevant and reliable population census, it is not entirely free from biases.

Thus, to restrain the errors as much as possible and carry out unbiased housing and population census, government should give training for people taking part in the survey, Hailu opined.

Reliable data is more valuable than any resources: Scholars

the program and outside the program] to start compulsory courses in peace studies, saying that it is very important for every students to take up peace studies. Mentioning that Mogadishu University has stated peace studies program for first year students, she called upon universities in Ethiopia to follow in the university’s footsteps and open up peace studies in their curricula.

Meanwhile, a grant contract signing ceremony for the construction of school blocks for Awash Primary School in Awash Fentale Woreda, Afar State was held on the same day.

This grant contract for 89,280 USD was signed between the Embassy of Japan and the Awash Sebat Kilo Town Administration Education Office through the Japanese Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human

Security Projects (GGP). Ambassador Daisuke Matsunaga,

in his message, mentioned that over 400 projects have been implemented in different regions of the country since GGP was its introduction. Under the project, two school buildings which contain eight classrooms will be constructed.

Ethiopia to start gas production in 2021BY ROBEL YOHANNES

ADDIS ABABA - Ethiopia three years away from producing and exporting natural gas, Ministry of Mines and Petroleum disclosed.

According to Dr. Koang Tutlam, State Minister of Mines and Petroleum, there are two natural gas basins that are expected to enter production. One is the natural gas reserve discovered in Ogaden Basin in Ethio-Somali Regional State by the Chinese Company Poly-GCL. “Works are already underway to install gas pipeline and begin export, which will take three years.”

The Chinese company explored and discovered eight to ten trillion cubic feet of natural gas, and various preparation works are already underway to start production. The plan is to lay down gas pipeline from Ogaden to Djibouti, and start export by 2021 after the various surveys, studies, and agreements are lined

up, and the construction work is completed.

As to him, Ethiopia will get as much as one billion USD annually once it starts to export the natural gas, and the revenue will rise up to seven billion USD once the export volume starts to increase in six, seven years.

The State Minister further said that another 1.4 trillion cubic feet of natural gas field is discovered by the company ‘NewAge’ in Ogaden region. The company is currently working to start production (development).

In parallel to this, there are also signs of petroleum potential in Ethiopia. Poly-GCL has already initiated study to determine and calculate possible recoverable volumes. “The aim of the production testing that was started last year was to estimate the amount of petroleum found in the field, and study its economic feasibility.”

When that study is completed, they will present a plan on how to

move forward, and operation will start as the government gives the go-ahead, he noted. “How we are going to develop it, and whether it is meant for export or for local will need to be decided.”

Further, Dr. Koang said that there are identified potential for future oil and gas discoveries in Gambella, Metema near Sudan border, Afar, Tigray and Amhara regional states, and the Ministry is undertaking promotional works to attract companies with the needed capital, and experience to come in and invest.

“We advertise our country’s potential in petroleum exhibitions abroad.”

Going forward, the State Minister lamented that promotional work will be the focus of the Ministry, while further attention will be given on ways to benefit people living off the drill sites, and to protect the environment in the process.

UNESCO, Japan sign ...

BY TEWODROS KASSA

ADDIS ABABA-- Conservation Agriculture based Sustainable Intensification (CASI) is well mainstreamed across the country and bearing fruits, said agricultural experts.

Sustainable Intensification of Maize-Legume Cropping Systems for Food Security in Easter and Southern Africa (SIMLESA) Program Leader Mulugeta Mekuria (PhD) told The Ethiopian Herald that CASI is now well accepted throughout the country. Farmers, environmentalists and government organs have now given due priority for conservation agriculture, he added.

“Currently, plus to half a million farmers practice conservation agriculture while the government is working to widen such experiences to the other farmers.”

Following this, farmers are witnessing tangible progress in production and productivity after the application of conservation agriculture, he noted.

He said institutionalizing such new research driven mechanisms and directions is important to realize agricultural production and productivity, adding that, multi-stakeholders engagement is fundamental to maintain natural resource conservation such as soil.

As to him, organic means

Conservation agriculture well mainstreamed in Ethiopia: Experts

of agricultural production and productivity mechanisms are highly advisable to sustain sector’s contribution to the national economy.

“CASI is a timely response to rehabilitate soil fertility by controlling erosion, acidity and solidity level in soil through curbing chemicals application in soil. And the issue of soil is a critical agenda of everyone”, he said.

For his part, SIMLESA Country Coordinator and Melkasa Agricultural Research Center Director Bedru Beshir (PhD) said that conservation agriculture has gained credibility through boosting production and productivity in which farmers are witnessing changes genuinely. The farmers are practicing this mechanism after identified real differences from the conventional tillage system, he added.

Thus, CASI is gaining attention with farmers after recognizing its positive role to increase production, soil moisture and save soil erosion, he said.

He further said that free grazing, conventional/traditional tillage, shortage of inputs and lack of awareness about CASI are the major challenges to implement CASI throughout the country.

Establishing and/or enforcing grazing bylaws, broadening agricultural extension packages as well as promoting such organic means of natural resource conservation pays back, he recommended.

PAGE 3 WEDNESDAY 6 MARCH 2019

The Ethiopian HeraldEstablished in 1943

Published daily except MondaysBy The Ethiopian Press Agency

Editor's Note: The views entertained in this article do not necessarily reflect the stance of The Ethiopian Herald

Editor-in-Chief Kifle Worku email- kifle.worku@press.et Address- Kolfe Keranio Sub-city Woreda - 03 House No- --- Tel- +251 111 26 41 98General Manager Tel. 011-126-42-22 Fax. 251-011-156-98-62

Advertisement and Dist. Department email:epapromotion@press.et

Tel. 011-157-02-70Website: www.press.et

email: ethiopianherald@press.etFacebook /Ethiopian Press Agency

Wednesday’s TeamElizabeth Mengistu (011-12 64 201)Robel YohannesMengisteab TeshomeShushay Adane Tewodros Kassa Betelhem BedluTameru Regasa

Sustaining the momentum of reformsThe importance of well performing public institutions is gaining greater

acceptance and is becoming the core idea of countries to improve the functionality of their systems and address development issues.

As evidences indicate, country’s success and development is highly correlated with the extent of its public institutions’ functionality. Well performing institutions are critical to achieving realistic objectives- to ensuring good governance, win publics’ expectations and trust thereby promoting sizable economic development and social prosperity.

On the contrary, dysfunctional institutions further than causing grievance on the public and holding back development, they can turn the socio-economic fabrics of the society into peril.

Therefore, building effective, responsive, transparent and accountable public institutions as well as reforming and strengthening them in accordance to the changes are one of the necessary conditions to improve many of governments’ functions and bring about the desire outcome.

Ethiopia, over the past few months, has seen important changes and embarked on series of political and economic reforms. In line with this, hence, it has made major efforts and taken considerable strides that are crucial to consolidate the gains.

On top of that, new public institutions such as Ministry of Peace, National

BY NIKITA BUTURLIN

In 1889, the Italian government announced that it was now representing the interests of Abyssinia in the international arena, citing the Treaty of Wuchale signed on May 2, 1889, under which Ethiopia allegedly recognized the Italian protectorate over itself. In fact, the wording, which suggested that Ethiopia was obliged to conduct all foreign affairs through Italian authorities, only existed in the Italian version of the treaty, while the Amharic version only provided the Ethiopian Emperor with an option of communicating with third powers through the Italians.

In October 1890 Negus Menelik II, who ascended the throne, officially protested against the Italian claims. In order to emphasize the independence of Ethiopia, he announced his accession to the heads of all European powers, including the Emperor Alexander III of Russia. In his reply, the Tsar reassured Menelik of his support to the fellow Orthodox Christians and suggested maintaining formal political contacts through Lieutenant Victor Mashkov, who directly reported to the Russian Emperor on his trips to Ethiopia.

The positive stance of Russia towards the Ethiopian Government contributed significantly to Menelik’s confidence in his ability to confront the Italians. On February 24, 1893, Ethiopia denounced the Treaty of Wuchale. In response, Italian troops invaded the Ethiopian territory beyond the agreed borders.

From the first days of the war, St. Petersburg took a firm stand

How Russia assisted Ethiopia against colonial occupationin defense of Ethiopia. This was reasoned by both the desire to help the right and the weaker side, and also by the interest of Russia in restraining colonial ambitions of the Great Britain and Italy in the Horn of Africa. In addition to geopolitical concerns, Ethiopia was perceived in Russia as an Orthodox country of great spiritual significance to the Christian world.

In 1894, the Russian Geographical Society sent an expedition to Ethiopia, which was led by a retired officer Nikolay Leontyev and included archimandrite Efrem of the Russian Orthodox Church, doctor and anthropologist A. Eliseev and artillery officer K. Zvyagin. This mission was well received by Menelik II, who appointed N. Leontyev his close adviser on foreign policy and defense, as well as a focal point for his relations with Russia. At the war council convened at Menelik’s palace in March 1895, N.Leontiev outlined the general tactical scheme of the campaign against Italy, which suggested avoiding direct assaults on the Italian fortifications, and instead luring the enemy troops deeper into the country, weakening them by night raids and using the advantages of terrain against the Italian artillery.

On July 5, 1895, a large Ethiopian diplomatic delegation headed by Menelik’s cousin Ras Damtew arrived in St. Petersburg where it was received “with honors more lavish than those accorded any previous foreign visitors in Russian history”. The mission laid a golden crown on the tomb of the late Emperor Alexander III and delivered a letter from Menelik to Emperor Nicholas II.

Despite the complexity of the negotiations due to language barrier, the results of the envoys’ meeting with the Tsar were quite significant. The delegation took with them 135 boxes of rifles and ammunition, as well as a large batch of cavalry sabers from the Zlatoust plant. In addition, Emperor Nicholas II sent to Menelik 400 thousand rubles from his own funds as a gift and awarded him with the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky.

Nicholas II also conveyed his letter to Menelik, in which he expressed gratitude for sending the delegation and gifts, and also assured the Negus of his constant position and sympathy “to the fate of the Abyssinian people.”

The Italian Embassy in St. Petersburg protested against the Royal reception of the Ethiopian delegation. To this demarche, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Alexey Lobanov-Rostovsky replied that Russia had never recognized the Italian protectorate over Abyssinia.

Upon considering Menelik’s request for weapons and a subsequent report by N. Leontiev, the Russian Government decided to send to Ethiopia 30 thousand rifles, 5 million cartridges and 5 thousand sabers as military aid. These weapons, however, could not be delivered in time as the Dutch steamer Doelwyck carrying them was impounded by the Italians in Massawa. Its cargo was released only after the conclusion of peace treaty between Ethiopia and Italy.

The news of the illustrious Ethiopian victory over the Italians at Adwa on March 1, 1896, was received in Russia with great enthusiasm. The Russian Red Cross Society mobilized

130 thousand rubles to fund and equip the medical unit to assist the wounded, which was immediately dispatched to Ethiopia under the leadership of major general N. Shvedov. Alexander Bulatovich, who later became a prominent explorer of Ethiopia, was in charge of logistics and communications of the mission.

During their stay in the country, the Russian doctors treated about 14 thousand patients and performed over 450 successful operations. Their mission also resulted in the establishment of the first modern hospital in Addis Ababa. A smaller medical facility was also opened in Harar at the request of its governor Ras Mekonnen.

Soon after the victory at Adwa, Menelik sent a cable to the Tsar informing of his intention to start negotiations with Italy with the purpose of “concluding an honorable peace, given that Ethiopia’s independence is preserved”. Nicholas II ordered to provide diplomatic support for peace talks. N. Leontiev was sent to Rome as an authorized representative of the Negus, he also assisted in drafting the peace treaty. In appreciation of his service, Menelik awarded the Russian officer with an honorary title of the Count of Abay.

Also in homage to Russia, Menelik decided to celebrate the coronation of Nicholas II in May 1896 by releasing a number of the Italian prisoners of war. The group of 50 prisoners was escorted to Djibouti by the same N. Leontiev.

In September 1897, Nicholas II sent to Menelik II an extraordinary diplomatic mission headed by State

Councilor Pyotr Vlasov. This first official mission dispatched by Russia to sub-Saharan Africa also included doctors and military instructors. In the first days of February 1898, the mission arrived in Addis Ababa, thus establishing diplomatic relations between Abyssinia and Russia.

According to the instruction given to P. Vlasov by the Russian Foreign Minister Mikhail Muravyov, Russia “is not pursuing any selfish or mercantile goals in Abyssinia and is in sympathy with the activities of the Negus aimed at strengthening his authority, maintaining stability and promoting development and well-being of his country.

The common religion, as well as exceptional qualities, demonstrated by this Ruler during critical time, sufficiently explain our favour towards him”. This testifies to the conclusion that the general policy of the Russian Empire considering Ethiopia and its adjacent territories was clearly anti-colonial by nature.

The above article is largely based on the Russian book “Emperor Menelik and His War with Italy” (St. Petersburg, 1898) written by Yuliy Elets, who used N. Leontiev’s original notes and diaries. The author also studied the relevant collection of the Archive of Foreign Policy of the Russian Empire, a division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.

Reconciliation Commission and National Identity and Border Commission were established. At the same time, deep adjustments were also made on the existing ones in a manner the institutions can discharge their responsibilities accordingly and fulfill their national missions. Reforms undertaken by the Ministry of Defense and the Attorney General are the best examples in this regard.

However, setting up or reforming those institutions cannot be an end by itself. Equally, establishing clear criteria that are reflecting nation’s concerns and promoting good governance through ensuring accountability and transparency is of the essence to keep the reforms on the track.

In this regard, the public institutions, be it the new or the existing ones, are duty bound to carry out their assignments with greater commitments. They are also expected to strengthen Ethiopia’s democratic institutions, and restore trust in the system.

Since coming to office, Prime Minister Abiy has initiated unprecedented and sweeping reforms. The aim of these reforms is to widen the political and democratic landscape of the country, and to further stimulate the economy. So, in order to successfully achieve this and turn the reform into tangible change as well as address the country’s pressing issues, there needs to be iron-clad commitment to see through the reform process.

PAGE 5 THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD WEDNESDAY 6 MARCH 2019

BY TEWODROS KASSA

Ethiopia in the past few decades has been striving to strengthen its relations with

neighboring countries and beyond through various ways. It has carried out a wide range of promotional works through internationally recognized news channels, print media, television and other mediums to build its positive image in the eyes of the international communities.

In addition, efforts have been made to share information through various community groups and institutions based in the country. Successively, in the first Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP I) period, the country has managed to cement bilateral relations with neighboring countries and other African countries, permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, the European Union and EU member countries, Middle East, Asia and Oceania and elevate nation’s role in regional and international forum.

It has also enabled to stimulate trade and investment by attracting foreign direct investment.

As many agreed, its economic diplomacy has contributed a lot to its successes- to attract local and anchor international investors, intensify investment and promote nation’s trade activities. Currently, the government is aggressively working to promote nation’s untapped investment opportunities and make the country a potential trade and investment destination.

In relation to this, stakeholders recommend that suitable trade

BY MENGISTEAB TESHOME

Generating energy from renewable sources is becoming a feasible strategy to rein in environmental impacts and yield substantial economic benefits. Particularly, following the increases in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions caused by the burning of fossil fuels and climate change has become an alarming global threat; environment friendly energy production is a vital remedy to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide gas released to the atmosphere.

As a result, producing alternative energy sources is gaining appreciation to create energy with cheap prices. Especially, in rural areas the technology is benefitting the community in many ways – to produce cheap electricity for homes and businesses, reduce indoor air pollution, improve the quality of the environment, perk up the life style of women and saving time which was spent to collect firewood.

Jewha is a small rural town located in North Shoa 210 km far away from Addis Ababa. As of the other rural areas, its dwellers utilize charcoal and biomass for cooking purposes. However, for Aregay Abreha, a businessman in the town, running business depending on the biomass and unpredictable power supply system was not as such a workable idea to work at full potential. Thus, the idea of developing biogas came to his mind.

Promoting win-win oriented trade, investment partnerships

and investment situations here at home, sustainable government to government, people to people and investor to investor relations pay off in the effort to tap the trade and investment sector.

Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Association President Mesenbet Shenkute said that institutional coordination among companies is fundamental for a sustainable trade and investment partnership. Likewise, clear investment friendly policy and strategy should be devised in a manner lessen the unnecessary ups and downs. To this effect and lead the sector appropriately, further measures are important, she indicated.

“Opening up the market, knowledge exchange, experience and culture sharing, market review as well as policy change and other measures contribute more in strengthening trade and investment relations among countries.”

For his part, Addis Ababa University College of Business and Economics Department Head and Economic Expert Atnafu Gebremeskel (PhD) said that inspiring and facilitating investors’ inflow is fundamental in harnessing the potential of the business sector. Diversifying economic activities that the investors could join motivates to utilize abundant resources in the area and introduce new market products with different quality and quantity.

As to him, Ethiopia’s reliable trade and investment partnership with different potential countries and companies has hugely promoted its Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflow. In most sectors the engagement of China dominates the country’s untapped trade and investment sector. Currently, the country reaps maximum trade relations with China.

The participation and contribution of European Union (EU) countries, USA and other countries is also growing from time to time following the favorable working environment and various investment incentives.

New companies from Europe and US are joining the investment sector with maximum efforts and are creating competitive job opportunities

He thought of it carefully and then consulted experts from Kombolcaha Agriculture Research Center the way he can set up a biogas plant. After he received the required technical support from Center’s representatives, he constructed the plant. This had happened some years back and since that time, the plant is generating power which is used to produce electricity for housing and cooking purposes.

As he witnessed the multifaceted benefits of the biogas technology, he started advising the villagers to setup the plants and produce the needed power.

“The biogas plant has awarded us with lots of returns. It has saved our time and finance, enable us to do our activities accordingly, have a clean, modern kitchen without smoke and soot and improve the quality of our lifestyle. Most importantly, it has assisted us to keep away the health and environmental hazards that could come to happen due to pollution”, Aregay said.

However, this does not mean that there is no challenge at all. As to him, unavailability of skilled human capital that can operate on his plant is causing him problems, as he noted.

Efratagidim Energy Development Bureau Expert Endale Aragaw on his part said that the Bureau is promoting the technologies of alternative power development - biogas, improved oven supply and solar energy development. As supplying the three to the rural communities is crucial, the Bureau is working giving special focus.

Amhara Biogas Unit is also executing activities in collaboration with pertinent stakes to support household farmers and anyone who desires to construct biogas plant by providing various accessories, he added.

Currently, over 55 biogas plants are operational in the woreda and efforts are underway to introduce solar technology in rural parts of the woreda. On the lane, small villages unit are established to let householders use the solar energy though the progress is not going at the desired level.

Limitations in resources and skilled human capital are challenging Bureau’s efforts. For instance, biogas plants are built in two ways- dome and floated. “However, because the Bureau does not have skilled manpower in floating biogas, we can neither solve problems that may arise concerning it nor assist those villagers who use floating plants. The limitation is lowering Bureau’s endeavors,” he added.

Amahara Water Irrigation and Energy Development Bureau Biogas Coordination Unit Head Fantahun Kassahun for his part said that the Bureau is working with all stakes to increase the number of biogas energy users. Currently, there are over 7,500 active biogas plants in the State. However, the feasibility study points out that a minimum of 110, 000 biogas digestion plants to be operational. “Even though subsidies make the units affordable for small farmers, the number of users at household level

Alternative energy development for sustainable growth

remains below expectations.” According to him, to increase

the extent of utilization biogas, farmers should have access to credit services. Thus, policy makers and financial institutions need to consider provision of loan to farmers to adopt the technologies and construct biogas digesters.

National Biogas Program General Manger Temesgen Tefera for his part said companies or small business operators as well households in the rural areas which employ biogas plant to satisfy their energy consumption can enjoy multiple benefits: from reducing energy costs to enhancing

profits, from cutting their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to creating new jobs, and improving energy security among others.

Ethiopia has high potential for biogas production. As the country is the leading country in its livestock resource, we can build plenty of biogas plants.

A household who owns four cattle is capable of having a biogas plant. “The reality, however, is far from this. We could not build as such many plants. Thus, we should work hard and strengthen efforts to enable each household get power.” he remarked.

for professionals and huge number of youths, he noted.

For him, the time [21st C] is tough time for doing business. Currently, best intellectual inventions and product qualities are the means to win and penetrate to global market. And best ideas and innovations are coming from all directions as part of globalization. Thus, upgrading national status in line with the current international trade and investment requirements would enhance businesses.

For a successful trade and investment agreements, the country needs to upgrade its human capital skills, technology utilization and promote multilingual capacities. Harmonizing market and tariff are also issues that cannot be ignored, he recommended.

Equally, greater attention should be given while selecting investors across the globe in terms of their abilities to creating jobs for citizens, transferring knowledge among others.

Ethiopia has untapped investment opportunities in various areas. Over the past two decades, it has been attracting investors from overseas. Especially big companies have taken part in country’s development plans. The trend is promising. However, in the future, greater attention should be given in selecting investors with high profile and registered reputation.

Currently, it is undertaking massive industrial parks expansion that gives impetus to attract competitive and brand investors to operate easily throughout the country. And the coming of potential investors, in turn, facilitates nation’s endeavors to industrialization.

The biogas plant has awarded the community with lots of returns

The government is working to make the country potential trade and investment destination

PAGE 8THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD WEDNESDAY 6 MARCH 2019

BERHANENA SELAM PRINTING ENTERPRISE

BY TEWODROS KASSA

Historians indicate that the Victory of Ethiopia at the Battle of Adwa in 1896 was not only the success of Ethiopians. Rather, it was the victory of Africans and all black people worldwide. The triumph greatly has contributed towards uniting Africa and Africans. That is why for many Africans the two names, Africa and Ethiopia, are seen as synonymous. And Africans see the Adwa victory as a corridor for Africa and Africans strive for freedom.

In a program organized to commemorate the Victory of Adwa, the former South African President Thabo Mbeki said that the victory at Adwa underlined the vital importance of a skilled and patriotic leadership capable of outsmarting the enemy not only on the deadly military field of battle, but also in the challenging areas of politics and diplomacy.

He emphasized that the global community has to learn more from Adwa Victory since the Victory represents all Africans. It is the history that all Africans proudly share.

South Africa’s former President usually sees debating on recognizing Adwa’s Victory. Adwa’s victory deserves glorious place in the hearts of all Africans. He urges the government of Ethiopia, African and all Ethiopians to give more tribute for the golden African victory over colonization.

Commemorating the Day needs further engagements from all stakeholders to transmit Ethiopia’s success to other countries in nation building, he indicates.

Since the Victory was achieved through the united action of the Ethiopian people, one of the primary lessons, apart from a progressive vision, is the critical importance of national unity as it is a fundamental element for the realization of Africa’s strategic goals.

“Given the fact that these strategic goals also relate to our Continent as a whole, this surely means that we must mobilize all our countries to act together in unity to achieve these strategic goals,” he noted.

“All this means that we should together act to honor the injunction coming out of Adwa – let each of our countries as well as our Continent as a whole act in unity to achieve our strategic goal.”

The second lesson Africans must draw from the Victory is the absolute imperative that the Continent face properly to carry out the necessary preparations to enable us achieve the strategic victories we seek. I am certain that in this regard we are familiar with the diplomatic, political, logistic and military preparations which were essential to secure the Victory at Adwa.

The other lesson that we must draw from Adwa is that since it is only through struggle that we could achieve our strategic goals, we must therefore be ready to make

the necessary sacrifices as we strive to overcome the resistance of those who will oppose us.

Thus, the current generation has greater responsibilities in passing down such African proud historical achievements, he emphasized.

Recently, the country marked the 123rd Adwa Victory nationwide. Following the celebration, a huge gathering of peoples happened at Menelik II Square, Adwa Bridge and Meskel Square from the morning up to the evening. This year’s remembrance had

Lessons from the Victory of Adwabeen more colorful than the past couples of decades of the anniversaries. The way the attendants dress was so much impressive. Almost all the participants were adorned with cultural dresses, adornments, cultural warriors’ symbols-spears, shields and flags, among others.

Singing various patriotic songs, participants of the day were reflecting their honor for their forefathers/mothers, the then leaders, warlords and individuals contributing for the superior role they played for the motherland.

Further to these, the activities of the horsemen came from the surrounding areas of Addis Ababa City were also the other splendid thing which added special color to the Day. Horsing superbly on the streets of the City, they portrayed the vivid pictures how the forefathers stood in front their enemies with courage, frightened them and paid sacrifice. Elders, youths, women and children were excited highly.

Temesgen Derbie was one of the attendants of the event. He said that it is regretting for not celebrating such a Day in the past as colorful as today [123rd Victory Day].

“Such situation is an impetus to promote Ethiopia’s prosperity and realize its unity. It is also crucial to aware the new generation about the Victory to be proud of their forefathers and resist any unfair wars against humanity.”

For him and his friends who were in presence to commemorating the Day and witnessed the vigorous and dramatic event from Menelik II Square at the center of the city to Adwa Bridge, the Day creates a new insight in realizing the country’s endeavors of repeating it past glorious. “There are many things that this generation has to learn from the past”, he said.

Not only these, this generation side to side glorifying and honoring forefathers’, the then warlords’ and leaders’ heroic deeds, it should go all-out to beat nation’s enemy. “Thus, realizing economic victory is the next agenda for all Ethiopians”, he remarked.

Ethiopia is the only country that marks the Victory Day every year while other African countries mark Independence Day. The feeling has greater differences. Ethiopians should instill more experiences from Adwa Victory, he remarked.

In his message in connection with the 123rd Adwa’s Victory Anniversary Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) emphasized that Adwa’s Victory has beamed rays of hope to all Africans for independence. And the Day is a means for us to transit from one couple of success to the other, the Premier added.

“Adwa showcases diplomacy, war strategy, unity, art and communication, love, honor, courage and the quest for liveliness”, he said.

Adwa’s Victory has beamed rays of hope to all Africans for independence