HARAR CONNECTION - Harari News & Information

ከአፍሪካ ልማት ባንክ በተገኘ ብድር የተገዛ የቧንቧ እቃ በጅቡቲ ወደብ ተወረሰ

noreply@blogger.com (Harar Connection) — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 13:35:00 +0000

Tuesday, 26 August 2008

በተሾመ ንቁ

ለሐረር የመጠጥ ውሃ ማስፋፊያ ፕሮጀክት ማስፈፀሚያ ከአፍሪካ ልማት ባንክ በተገኘ ብድር የተገዛ የቧንቧ ቁሳቁስ በጅቡቲ ወደብ መወረሱ ታወቀ፡፡ ፕሮጀክቱ በተያዘለት ጊዜ አለመጠናቀቁም ታውቋል፡፡

በውሃ ሃብት ሚኒስቴር ተቆጣጣሪነት የተገዛው ለሐረሪ ከተማ የመጠጥ ውሃ ማስፋፊያ ፕሮጀክት የሚውለው ቧንቧና የቧንቧ መለዋወጫ ቁሳቁስ በጅቡቲ ወደብ መወረሱን የሪፖርተር ምንጮች ጠቁመዋል፡፡ በምንጮቻችን ገለፃ መሰረት ለፕሮጀክቱ ማስፈጸሚያ ከአፍሪካ ልማት ባንክ በተገኘ የብድር ገንዘብ የተገዛው ቧንቧ በወደቡ ባለቤቶች ተወርሷል፡፡

የቧንቧ ቁሳቁሱን ለመግዛትና ሐረር ከተማ ድረስ ለማቅረብ ጨረታውን ያሸነፈው ዋት ኢንተርናሽናል የተባለ አገር በቀል ድርጅት እቃውን በውሉ መሰረት አላቀረበም፡፡ እንደ ምንጮቻችን ገለፃ ድርጅቱ ጨረታውን በማሸነፉ ከ28 ሚሊዮን ብር በላይ የቅድመ ክፍያ ገንዘብ ወስዷል፡፡ በውሉ መሰረት ድርጅቱ እቃውን በመግዛት በጅቡቲ ወደብ መጋዘን ውስጥ ለረዥም ጊዜ ማስቀመጡና የወደብ ኪራዩ ከእቃው ዋጋ በላይ በመሆኑ መወረሱ ተገልጿል፡፡

የወደቡ አስተዳዳሪ ዱባይ ኢንተርናሽናል እቃው ባለመነሳቱ እቃውን በመውረስ መሸጡ ታውቋል፡፡ የወደቡ አስተዳዳሪ የተወረሰውን ቧንቧ በኢትዮጵያ ለሚገኙ ነጋዴዎች በጨረታ መሸጡንም በጨረታው ከተካፈሉ ነጋዴዎች ማረጋገጥ ተችሏል፡፡

ለተወረሰው የቧንቧ ዕቃ መግዣ ከ1 ሚሊዮን ብር በላይ ወጪ መደረጉን የጠቀሱት ምንጮቻችን፤ የፌዴራል መስሪያ ቤቱ ፕሮጀክቱን ከመከታተል አኳያ ድክመት እንደታየበት ጠቁመዋል፡፡ ከአፍሪካ ልማት ባንክ የብድር ፈቃድ ለማግኘት ከአንድ ዓመት በላይ እንደሚፈጅ በመጥቀስ ከፍተኛ የጊዜ ክስረት መድረሱን ጠቁመዋል፡፡ በዚህም መሰል ብድር ለማግኘትና የግዢ ጨረታ ለማውጣት በሚደረግ ጥረት ፕሮጀክቱ እንደሚጓተት አስታውቀዋል፡፡

የግዢ ጨረታው አለም አቀፍ ደረጃ በመሆኑ ለጨረታው የወጣው ወጪ መክሰሩን፣ ፕሮጀክቱ ተፈፃሚ ቢሆን ከሐረር ከተማ በተጨማሪ የሀሮማያ፣ የአወዳይ፣ የአዴላና የደንገጎ ከተሞች ተጠቃሚ ይሆኑ እንደነበር ነገር ግን ሳይሳካ መዘግየቱን ጠቁመዋል፡፡

ፕሮጀክቱ ሐምሌ 1997 ሲጀመር በ20 ወራት ጊዜ ይጠናቀቃል ተብሎ እንደነበረ ያወሱት ምንጮቻችን እስከ አሁን ባለመጠናቀቁ ማዘናቸውን ገልፀዋል፡፡

በጉዳዩ ዙሪያ ያነጋገርናቸው የሐረር የመጠጥ ውሃና ፍሳሽ ባለስልጣን የእቅድና የህዝብ ግንኙነት ኃላፊ አቶ ቡሽራ መሀመድረሺድ ባለስልጣኑ ጉዳዩን እንደማያውቅ ገልፀዋል፡፡ ባለስልጣኑ የቧንቧ ግዢውም ሆነ የፕሮጀክቱን ሁኔታን እንደማይመለከተው አስታውቀዋል፡፡ አቶ ቡሽራ ለፕሮጀክቱ ማስፈፀሚያ የሚገዛው ቧንቧ በቅርቡ ወደ ሐረር ከተማ ይገባል በሚል እየተጠባበቁ መሆኑን ገልፀዋል፡፡

በፌዴራል የውሃ ሀብት ሚኒስቴር የሐረር የመጠጥ ውሃና ሳኒቴሽን ፕሮጀክት ኃላፊ አቶ ጌታቸው ታምራት ፕሮጀክቱ በተያዘለት ጊዜ አለመጠናቀቁን አምነዋል፡፡ ፕሮጀክቱ ከ71 ኪሎ ሜትር በላይ የሚፈጅ መሆኑን የጠቀሱት ኃላፊው፣ የካሳ ክፍያ ሂደት ጊዜ መፍጀቱን ጠቁመዋል፡፡ በተጨማሪም ለፕሮጀክቱ የሚያስፈልጉ ቁሳቁስ ግዢ ሂደት ላይ የተፈጠረ መዘግየት፣ በዲዛይን ሥራ ላይ በተከሰተ ችግር፣ በሲሚንቶ እጥረት ምክንያት የኮንስትራክሽን ሥራ መደናቀፉን ጠቅሰዋል፡፡

አቶ ጌታቸው በተጠቀሱት ምክንያቶች ፕሮጀክቱ በተያዘለት ጊዜ አለመጠናቀቁንና በሚቀጥለው መስከረም ወር ውስጥ እንደሚጠናቀቅ አስታውቀዋል፡፡ በጅቡቲ ወደብ ስለተወረሰው የፕሮጀክቱ እቃን በተመለከተ የማይመለከታቸው መሆኑን አስታውቀዋል፡፡

Hadid's general assembly meeting.

noreply@blogger.com (Harar Connection) — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 21:54:00 +0000

I have some news of hadid. Today they had a meeting of their general assembly. They were around 120 attendants, of whom 80 were the members of the general assembly, 40 of them were representatives of the Ethiopian Electoral Board. On their meeting they democratically elected 15 central committee members. I got their names and you will find it below this letter.

I want also to congratulate all the 15 central committee members. In addition, I hopefully think they will bring change to our society. Further more, these 15 committee members elected 7 executive members among themselves. The meeting and the ceremony was very nice, and the atmosphere of the meeting was excellent. They had all one spirit. That was to bring change to the under served society of Harari people.

Here are the names of the 15 central committee members,

1. President Abdi Sebri
2. Vise President Adil Abdella
3. Secretary Eliyas Taha
4. Hanan Mohammed
5. Abdulwasi Kelifa
6. Fatuma Oumer
7. Salahadin Abdulhafiz
8. Ridwan Bedri
9. Amira Abdosh
10. Adem Abdurehim
11. Abdulfetah Mohammed
12. Abdulwahid Yonis
13. Abdurehman Adem
14. Kelifa Oumer
15. Hashim Salih

From the above committee the seven elected executive members are-

1. President Abdi Sebri

2. Vise President Adil Abdella

3. Secretary Eliyas Taha

4. Hanan Mohammed

5. Ridwan Bedri

6. Salahadin Abdulhafiz

7. Hashim Salih

Finally, I ask Allah to strengthen them to bring change and justice to our society. And for further explanation of about today's event and general information about HADID please be online with paltalk tonight 8:00 pm Ethiopian local time so that you will have more knowledge about this party.

Sami.

የሐረሪ ክልል ምክር ቤት 183 ነጥብ 6 ሚሊዮን ብር በጀትና ዓዋጆችን አጸደቀ

noreply@blogger.com (Harar Connection) — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 16:58:00 +0000

ሐረር, ሐምሌ 30 ቀን 2000 (ሀረር) - የሐረሪ ክልል ምክር ቤት አራተኛ ዓመት አንደኛ መደበኛ ጉባዔ ለ2001 በጀት ዓመት የሚውል 183ነጥብ6 ሚሊዮን ብር በጀት፣ዓዋጆችና ሹመት በማጽደቅ ዛሬ ተጠናቀቀ።

ጉበዔው ለሁለት ቀናት ባካሄደው ጉባዔ በጀቱን ያጸደቀው የክልሉ ምጣኔ ሀብታዊና ማህበራዊ ችግሮች ለማቃለል በዘላቂነት ለማቃለል የሚያስችሉና የኅብረተሰቡን የኑሮ ደረጃ ለማሻሻል የሚያበቁ ተግባራትን ለማከናወን መሆኑን በጉባዔው ላይ ከቀረበው ማብራሪያ ለመረዳት ተችሏል።

ከበጀቱ 116 ሚሊዮን ብር ለመደበኛ የተመደበ ሲሆን ቀሪው ለካፒታል ፕሮጀክቶች ማስፈጸሚያ እንደሚውልም ተገልጿል።

ከበጀቱ የክልሉ መንግሥት 42 ሚሊዮን ብር ሲያሰባስብ ጉድለቱ ከፌዴረል መንግሥት ከሚገኝ ድጎማ እንደሚሟላ ተብራርቷል።

እንዲሁም የሐረር ከተማን ዕድገት ለማስጠበቅና የክልሉን የቤተሰብ ሕግ ዓዋጆችና የክልሉን ጠቅላይ ፍርድ ቤት ፕሬዚዳንት ሹመት አጽድቋል።

የሐረሪ ክልል ምክር ርዕሰ መስተዳድር አቶ ሙራድ አብዱልሐዲ ባደረጉት ንግግር በክልሉ ባለፉት ዓመታት በድህነት ላይ የተመዘገበውን ውጤት በያዝነው የበጀት ዓመትም ለመድገም በጀቱን ወጪ ቆጣቢ በሆነ አሰራርና የኅብረተሰቡን ጉልበት በመጠቀም ለማልማት አስፈጻሚ አካላት መረባረብ እንዳለባቸው አሳስበዋዋል።

ሪፖ 12፡10 ኤዲ ከ12፡10 -12፡30

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የሀረሪ ክልል ምክር ቤት ሶስተኛ ዙር አራተኛ አመት አንደኛ መደበኛ ጉባኤ ተጀመረ

noreply@blogger.com (Harar Connection) — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 16:55:00 +0000

ሀረር, ሐምሌ 29 ቀን 2000 (ሀረር) - የሀረሪ ክልል ምክር ቤት ሶስተኛ ዙር አራተኛ አመት አንደኛ መደበኛ ጉባኤ ዛሬ በሀረር ከተማ የክልሉ ምክር ቤት አዳራሽ ተጀመረ ።

በጉባኤዉ መክፈቻ የክልሉ ዋና ኦዲተርና የአፈ ጉባኤዉ ጽህፈት ቤት ያቀረቧቸዉን የ2000 የስራ እቅድ አፈጻጸም ሪፖርት በማዳመጥ በሪፖርቶቹ ላይ ተወያየቷል ።

የክልሉ ዋና ኦዲተር ጽህፈት ቤት ሃላፊ አቶ ነስረዲን አሊ ለጉባኤዉ ባቀረቡት ሪፖርት በበጀት አመቱ የታየዉ የስራ አፈጻጸም አበረታች እንደነበረና በገቢና ወጪ ሂሳብ አሰራር ላይ ይህ ነዉ የሚባል የጎላ ጉድለት እንዳልታየ አስታዉቀዋል ።

የክልሉ ምክር ቤት አፈ ጉባኤ አቶ አብዱል መሊክ በከር በበኩላቸዉ ባቀረቡት ሪፖርት በበጀት አመቱ የምክር ቤቱን አሰራር ለማጠናክር በተደረገዉ ጥረት አበረታች ተግባራት መከናወናቸዉን አስረድተዋል ።

ዴሞክራሲያዊ አሰራርን ተግባራዊ ለማድረግ በክልሉ በየደረጃዉ የሚገኙ ተቋማትን አቅም ለመገንባት ተደረገዉ ጥረት ፍሬያማ ዉጤት እያሰገኘ መሆኑን አስታዉቀዋል ።

በክልሉ እየተካሄደ ያለዉ አበረታች የልማት ስራ ተጠናክሮ እንዲቀጥል በጋራ መንቀሳቀስ እንደሚገባም አፈ ጉባኤዉ አስገንዝበዋል ።

ጉባኤዉ በተጨማሪ የክልሉ ርእሰ መስተዳድር አቶ ሙረድ አብዱል ሀዲና የጠቅላይ ፍርድ ቤቱ ፕሬዜዳንት አቶ ኤልያስ ያህያ ባቀረቡት የ2000 የስራ አፈጻጸም ሪፖርት ላይ በመወያየት ጉባኤዉ ሪፖርቱን በሙሉ ድምጽ ተቀብሎታል ።

ጉባኤዉ በነገዉ ዉሎዉ በክልሉ በመሰረታዊ የስራ ሂደት ለዉጥና የሀረር ከተማን ልማት ለማፋጠን እንዲያስችል በተዘጋጀዉ ረቂቅ አዋጅና በሌሎች ጉዳዮች ላይ እንደሚወያይ ለጉባኤዉ የወጣዉ መርሀግብር ያመለክታል ።

ሪፖ10፡25 ኤዲከ11፡00 - 11፡20 ጠሰድ = ጥ/አጥ

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The Harari Sport & Cultural Event: By Brother Surat

noreply@blogger.com (Harar Connection) — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:56:00 +0000

The 13th Harari Cultural & Sports events just concluded in Dallas and I have learned that the success of the event was beyond the expectation of the organizers. Truth be told, I have a mixed feeling about the whole thing. On the one hand, I want to express my joy about the event and thank those who have put their effort to make it a success. On the flip side, I canʼt help feeling disappointed by the nature of some of the events which I failed to see any cultural value at all. Let me elaborate.

Since the beginning of the summer event, there were two major parts that have become the mainstay, namely the soccer competition and the weekend parties. Eventually, other events were added that were more in line with the Harari culture and way of life. And these were the Harari Day show (Cultural show), Ziwariq (picnic) and Mawlud. Since I have participated in all of these additional events, I believe that they have added a measure of acculturation to the diaspora Hararis who are not totally connected to their culture. And I would like to see more manpower spent on these events to make them worthwhile. But let me get back to the original two components of the events and see if anyone else shares my concern

In my view, the soccer program never got off the ground from the inception. The level of skill never seems to improve from year to year. I understand that all the players are volunteers who participate to add color to the program, but there is little improvement to show for when the players hit the field every year. There hardly was a complete team from any number of the cities who participate in the event. Players are haphazardly gathered from any city and are persuaded to play for any team that is short. Most of the time, players start practicing for the games a month or two before the event although there might be a team that practices most of the year. Believe me, I really do understand the problems facing many of our communities in trying to do their best by organizing a team and sending them for a tournament because I was once part of an organizing team for such an event. But somehow we were unable to make a dent in the normal progress of having a good team that we can all enjoy watching them play. I am sure this is one of the areas that newly reformed Federation should focus to see some changes. Let us face it, in order to be true to the spirit of the event and continue calling it a sports and cultural event, we should at least make an effort to show some improvement not only in soccer but in all other fields of sports that include women and children as well. I have seen some improvements regarding programs for children but women have never been a priority of the organizers judging by past experience. And I hope to see some improvement there.

But the last issue I would like to deal with is the gala nights. The program was first started to give chance for our Harari performers to showcase their talent and entertain the crowd. And here is my dilemma and a major concern which needs to be discussed as an important issue. Let me just say what is obvious on my part; I have always liked Harari music and am still partial to it and listen every chance I get. And I am sure most of the people who go to gala night have the same passion for Harari music as myself. But I am not exactly sure when it started, what I am hearing about these events is way past onesʼ love for Harari music. If some non-Harari person accidentally enters this party hall, I am confident that he will flatly deny that these are Hararis. Of course, assuming the person is familiar with Harari culture and people. The skimpy dress of our girls, and the mothers who dress no better than their daughters and do not mind what is going on, the free inter-mingling of Harari men and women on the dancing floor, and good number of young Hararis who get a fix of their alcohol from the outside, etc. is definitely not a scene that is attributable to a hundred percent Muslin society. Most of you who are familiar with the party scene surely know what I am talking about but nobody seems too concerned for the issue to merit any discussion. The scene I just outlined is in total contradiction of the basic tenets of our religion and should be a point of discussion if we at all call this a cultural event. It is high time to remember that our culture and way of life is more or less inter-twined with our religion and it is difficult to delineate where one starts and the other ends. It should be the concern of every Harari worthy of the name to find a remedy before things totally fall apart.

I understand that the party night is a major attraction of the event. Probably most of the participants in the event come for that purpose only. Well, if that is the case, we need to search deep within ourselves and examine our beliefs and morals because I really feel that we are at a cross-road. I am a strong supporter of these summer events that bring Hararis from near and Afar. So many lost friends have found each other and it has become a meeting venue for a number of family and friends. There are so many good things about the event that we should make every effort to preserve it, but at the same time we should be able to find a solution to some of the pressing problems that is facing us square in the eye.

Surat

Harari officials campaign in Addis

noreply@blogger.com (Harar Connection) — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 17:41:00 +0000

By Abiy Demilew

A delegation of senior officials of the Harari Regional Government, led by Murad Abdul Hadi, President, held discussions with Hararis living in Addis, in a campaign for attracting and encouraging investment to the ancient town of Harar.
The regional government plans to embrace the private sector involvement in the development of the town, especially encouraging Hararis living in Addis, it was reported.
In the recent Harar Revitalisation Forum, held in Harar town two weeks ago, President Murad noted that the regional government will work closely with the private sector, in attracting investment to speed up the development of the town.
“The private investment sector is among the stakeholders listed to take part in the activity to develop the basic facilities in Harar,” senior official told Capital.
The regional government wants to uplift Harar in speeding up development activities with the support of major stakeholders and this is part of that initiative and commitment, according to the official who posed for few words with Capital.
Harar lacks modern amenities such as hotels, restaurants, hospitals etc and suffers from a chronic water shortage. Each resident now gets five gallons of water per day. Harar also faces a challenge to meet the demands of the 4500 tourists who visit every year. The character of the Old Town desperately needs to be preserved, while at the same time the infrastructure and housing conditions need to be improved for the residents, according to the study that was presented on the forum.
“This is the first ever large campaign to involve this number of senior officials for a special mission” disclosed the official.
“Economic Model for the Revitalization, The overall economic model for the revitalization (the source of revenues resulting from the revitalization and how they would be captured to repay the cost of the effort) will be a key output of the Forum. The economic model is expected to include a role for the Harari diaspora,” according to the study presented on the forum three weeks ago.

Gursum Community in Diaspora Applauds the Italian research team of Mount Kundudo.

noreply@blogger.com (Harar Connection) — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 13:50:00 +0000

GURSUM COMMUNITY IN DIASPORA NEWS RELEASE
The Fugnanbira Community Group Association
www.gursum.com Email. Fugnanbira@rogers.com
March 6, 2008
Gursum Community in Diaspora Applauds the Italian research team of Mount Kundudo.
This was confirmed today in a letter sent by Gursum Community Vice President Meftuh Shash to Professor Marco Vigano and his team.
Mr. Meftuh Shash in his letter to the research lead said:
We applaud you and your team for your initiatives and bring to light one of the most beautiful and breath taking high mountains in East Hararge region (Kundudo) of Ethiopia with its unique wildlife (Wild horses) in the verge of extinction. We strongly believe this region is with high potential for the country’s tourism resources if due attention is given and revitalized and protected as you have indicated in your report.
We are highly in support of Prf. Vigano’s report and recommendations and encourage all the local government bodies, such as the FDRE Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), Ministry of Tourism and International Environmental Protection Program UNEP to give due attention in protecting these environment and saving its unique Wild horses. It is fare to say this region was not explored and little or no attention was given to its wildlife. The study by the team indicates may be these are the only living wild horses found in East Africa and highly potential for the country’s tourism. This area needs active promotions at all levels and facilitating the required amenities.

Mount. Kududo, 3000 meters high located in Eastern Hararge Region of Ethiopia.

Here we would like to take this opportunity to share our experience and adventure trip to this magnificent and one of the highest Mountains in the region, with a very unique plain field that happen to be the home of the exotic Wild Horses in Eastern Ethiopia.
1974 Adventure Trip to Kundudo Mountain:
In 1974, ten of us as young teenagers including myself all of us from the town of Gursum, took an adventure trip to Mount Kundudo in search for the Wild Horses. Our journey started from Mount Stinico in the town of Gursum, were the chain of mountains stretches all the way to Mount Kundudo. After three hours journey on foot, we reached the bottom of Mount Kundudo which was covered by a very thick cloud with zero visibility. Though we had difficulty to find the only narrow ally way entrance to the top of the mountain, finally we reached to our dream height. At the time the plain magnificent field looked like a green golf course. On the beautiful landscape on top of the Mountain we met with a colony of Baboons to the east of the entrance and around 10 beautiful Wild Horses to the West. We were so excited to meet these beautiful horses and as they see they had company they started moving away. As we approach them for a close look they started running with a beautiful display. On the other side as we approach the baboons, they quickly took an exit down the mountain to the east. We were all amazed of the height and the beauty of the overlook of the environment, it was just breath taking.
From the pictures released by the research team we also noticed sever environmental degradation on top of the mountain field, which during our trip over 30 years a go, it was golf green plain as if it was trimmed with mower.
Although we planned to camp on the field of Mount Kundudo, this was not possible due to heavy rain fall in the evening and we were forced to climbed down to the nearest town called Fugnan Hujuba. We spent the night over and left for hometown of Gursum the next day.
July 23, 2007 our Journey to Eastern Hararge Regions.
On July 23, 2007, During Harari Millennium Celebration event my colleague and I took a trip to our hometown of Gursum, Fugnanbira. Our Journey began from Harar via Babile for a shortstop at Dakhata Valley, Known as (Marvel Valley of Rocks) and also an Elephant Sanctuary. We found this magnificent valley and natural phenomenon spectacular and have a great potential for tourism. As we arrived to Gursum and toured various areas, we also had the opportunity to speak with the Deputy Administrator of the town and discussed to work together as a community to introduce the regions tourism potentials. Kundudo Mountain Wild Horses were part of our discussion. We were advised that soon there will a documentary to promote the potential areas and we extended our desire to promote our home town around the world to get the exposure needed internationally.
Our way back to Harar we drove the root to Mountain Kundudo, via Awe Bare, Fugnan Hujuba, Ejarsagoro, Jarso, Fellana, Kombolcha and finally our destination the City of Harar.

This was the memorable adventure trip we had ever, traveling over the chain of mountains and hill sides over looking forests, it was just amazing. Although we didn’t climb to the top of Mount Kundudo due to time constrains as darkness prevailed, we enjoyed being just at the bottom of the mountain and took our memories with us that we will never forget and to promote the hometown beauty. It was a great experience for us to be back home after leaving for over 30 years.
Marvel Valley of Dakhata, Babile in Eastern Ethiopia

Harar is also an ancient walled city with ample tourist resources and the administration has been striving to promote its region world wide.
We believe as a community it is our obligation to elevate the awareness in conservation and promote our country’s potential resources for its development. Our community has been promoting conservations and reforestation of the degraded environment of the region as can be seen in this attached document. http://www.wscsd.org/ejournal/article.php3?id_article=232 you may notice our activity on one of our members study paper. We will continue striving in our capacity to communicate with the local administration and our community back home in an effort to help promote our Country’s development endeavors.
We hope to see Mount Kundudo once again revitalized and not only become the home of the Wild Horses but also one of recognized tourist resource for the country.
Released by:
FBCGA/PR/Kundudo
END
3

The taekwondo class has started today at abdal school

noreply@blogger.com (Harar Connection) — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 15:40:00 +0000

The taekwondo class has started today at abdal school. I would like to thank all those who sponsored, pledged to sponsor, or are thinking of sponsoring a student, as well as those who prayed for the success of the program.

Present at the inaguration ceremony were: Mukhtar Ali, Vice speaker of the Harari parliment,
Yimage Idris, head of Cultural & Sports Bureau, and Elias Abdumalik, head of urban development Bureau.

The students were very excited about the program.

Many who did not make it to the program were sad that they did not get to be sponsored. They asked "what about us?".

I said insha'Allah there will be more people to sponsor you. The reality is we have not gotten even the minimum of 30 we were aiming for, and we have not gotten all the pledged amount yet. Therefore, we urge those of you who have pledged to sponsor students to send your payments, and those of you who haven't pledged yet to do so now.

Attached is a photo of some of the children in the program. There will be more picture soon.

This is an update for the "tae kwon do class in Harar"

noreply@blogger.com (Harar Connection) — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 14:25:00 +0000

As'salamu alaykum everyone:

This is an update for the "tae kwon do class in Harar". The class will not start on the previously scheduled date of February 1st, 2008.

We have moved the start date to 2 weeks later due to some technical problems that we have resolved now.

Here is some pertinent information that you might want to know:

1. The class will be offered at Abdir School at Abdal
2. Only 5th grade students at that school will be sponsored
3. Ratio of boys to girls shall be 50-50%
4. Class will start in mid February

The board members of the school have met and agreed with the concept. We met with school officials today, and they have agreed to work in partnership with this program. They will discuss the issue with both students and parents and get back to us within a week.

There are almost 100 students in the 5th grade in Abdal school, with male to female ratio being almost 50-50 (48 vs. 47). The initial goal is to sponsor 50 students from this grade. We are developing a criterion for students to join the program - using attendance record and performance in school.

However, our ultimate goal is to sponsor all the 5th grade students. That will be possible only if Harari community members take this program seriously and sponsor more children. "no child left behind" should be the goal of this project.

Why 5th grade students you might ask? It takes about 4 years to get a black belt. Therefore, by the time the children complete the 8th grade they should have their black belt. Thereafter, these children can instruct the younger generation - and will be able to make sport and discipline to be the future part of the culture in Harar.

Therefore, I urge all of you who have pledged to sponsor a child to send your payments now.

We also urge those who have not pledged to do so now. We would like to see afochas and jamas sponsor at least 5 children each.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank those of you who have already sent your pledge for this noble cause.

In order to have a fruitful harvest in the future, we have to sow the seed now.

w/peace,
Mohammed Al-Harari

A 30 Million Birr Roadway Construction Contract is Signed

noreply@blogger.com (Harar Connection) — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 13:53:00 +0000

Friday, 01 February 2008

The Harari National Regional State signed a 30 million Birr contract for a construction of 15 km of roadway with Hunan Hunand, a Chinese company that is specialized in the construction of highways and bridges. The proposed roadway is to be constructed in the city of Harar.

The Harari National Regional State signed a 30 million Birr contract for a construction of 15 km of roadway with Hunan Hunand, a Chinese company that is specialized in the construction of highways and bridges. The proposed roadway is to be constructed in the city of Harar.

The president of the Harari National Regional State, H.E. Murad Abdulhadi signed the agreement on behalf of the regional State. During the signing ceremony, he stated that roadway construction was part of the strategic package for the current administration. The president expressed his confidence that the construction of the roadways will play a highly important role in the expansion of investment and tourism opportunities for the Harari Regional State. The Regional State has allocated 80% of its capital budget for the timely completion of the project.

The Manager of Hunan Hunand, Mr. Young Riwa, remarked that their company has modern equipments and expertise necessary to construct quality highways that would fulfill the needs of the citizens of the Regional State. Mr. Riwa further stated that the project is scheduled for

Defense Ministry Hands Over 27 Hectares of Land

noreply@blogger.com (Harar Connection) — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 13:51:00 +0000

Friday, 01 February 2008
The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia’s Defense ministry handed over 27 hectares of land to the Harari National Regional State based on an agreement reached between the two sides on January 29, 2008. The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia’s Defense ministry handed over 27 hectares of land to the Harari National Regional State based on an agreement reached between the two sides on January 29, 2008.

Harar was used as a military garrison by the previous regimes. Around 200 hectares (2 million square meters) of the land were used as a military camp, which seriously hindered the growth and revitalization of the Harari National Regional State. Further negotiations are underway with the Defense ministry to recover more lands to be used for various investment and housing projects.

News release from Haddeed Secretary

noreply@blogger.com (Harar Connection) — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 14:01:00 +0000

ለሐረሪ ሕዝብ አማራጭ የፖለቲካ ፓርቲ ተቋቋመ Print E-mail
Sunday, 13 January 2008
ተመሳሳይ አመለካከት ያላቸው የሐረሪ ክልል ተወላጆች የፖለቲካ ፓርቲ በማቋቋም ለክልሉ ተወላጆች አማራጭ የፖለቲካ ፕሮግራም ይዘው መቅረባቸውን አስታወቁ፡፡ የአዲሱ ፓርቲ ፀሐፊ ክልሉን በማስተዳደር ላይ ያለው ፓርቲ መስራችና ስራ አስፈፃሚ ነበሩ፡፡

የሐረሪ ዲሞክራሲያዊ ድርጅት (ሐዲድ) በመባል የተቋቋመው ፓርቲ ከብሄራዊ ምርጫ ቦርድ ታህሳስ 24 ቀን 2000 ዓ.ም የምስክር ወረቀት አግኝቷል፡፡

ፓርቲው የሕጋዊ ሰውነት ማረጋገጫ የምስክር ወረቀት ማግኘቱን ተከትሎ ዋና ፀሐፊው አቶ ኤሊያስ ጠሀ ሸሪፍ ለሪፖርተር እንደገለፁት "ለሐረሪ ሕዝብ አማራጭ የፖለቲካ ፕሮግራም ይዘን ቀርበናል" ብለዋል፡፡

በሐረሪ ክልል ከገዢው ፓርቲ ሌላ አማራጭ ባለመኖሩ ሕዝቡ የሚፈልገውን የመምረጥ እድል ሳያገኝ ለዓመታት መኖሩን የገለፁት ዋና ፀሐፊው "በሚቀጥለው ምርጫ ህዝቡን ከአንድ ፓርቲ ጥገኝነት እናላቅቀዋለን፡፡ በዴሞክራሲያዊ መንገድ የፈለገውን እንዲመርጥ ከአሁኑ ጀምሮ ትኩረት ሰጥተን እንሰራለን" በማለት ተናግረዋል፡፡

በክልሉ ላለው የመልካም አስተዳደርና የልማት ጥያቄ መልስ የሚሰጥ ፕሮግራም እንደተዘጋጀ የገለፁት የሐዲድ ዋና ፀሐፊ በሚያዚያ ወር በሚካሄደው የማሟያ ምርጫ ሕዝቡ በንቃት ተሳታፊ እንዲሆን ጥሪ አስተላልፈዋል፡፡ ነገር ግን በምርጫው እንደማይሳተፉ ገልፀዋል፡፡

የሐረሪን ክልል እያስተዳደረ ያለው የሐረሪ ብሄራዊ ሊግ (ሐብሊ) ሲሆን አዲስ በተቋቋመው ፓርቲ ውስጥ የቀድሞ የሐብሊ አባላትና መስሪያዎች እንደሚገኙበት የገለፁት ዋና ፀሐፊው "ለሐረሪ ሕዝብ አማራጭ ፖለቲካ ፕሮግራም መያዛችንን አሳምነን ደጋፊዎቻችንን በዴሞክራሲያዊ መንገድ እንዲመርጡ አስተምረን ከሁለት ዓመት በኋ በሚደረገው አገራዊ ምርጫ እንወዳደራለን" ብለዋል፡፡ አያይዘውም መሰረት ያለው የምርጫ ስራ ሳይሰራ ወደ ምርጫ መግባቱ ፓርቲያቸው እንደማያምንበትም ተናግረዋል፡፡

በአሰግድ ተፈራ

Harari Congress

noreply@blogger.com (Harar Connection) — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 22:12:00 +0000

Ethio-Harar Muday Alem Hufuq ZiHarari Kilahot Arra
(Pal talk discussion forum)
Report Submitted by; The Volunteer Group of 10 Hararis in Pal Talk.
November 26, 2007.

THE VISION; to speak as one voice on behalf of All Hararis in Diaspora based on the principle of “No Harari Left Behind”, and, by ensuring the Fundamental Right of each Harari to Participate, the Right to Contribute, and the Right to Elect and get Elected to “The Harari Congress” irrespective of the person’s affiliation to any Afocha or Mugad Organizations.

THE BACKGROUND; We Hararis rather appear to be unconnectedly organized by Community/ Afocha, Jammas/Mugads or interest groups. As the result, we were not able to pull our resources together effectively and function on vital matters affecting our Harari Nation as well as our very own survival as a Nation.

THE CONGRESS; the Road to the Congress; On August 19, 2007, Ten participants of Ethio-Harar Muday Alem Hufuq ZiHarari Kilahot Arra (Pal Talk Forum) volunteered to discuss and return with a recommendation on an organizational model for Hararis at an international level, with the intention that the Core Harari Kilahot Arra (Pal Talk Forum) would then discuss the merits of the recommendation and decide either to adopt or reject the group’s recommendation put into view.
In the last few months, the Harari Kilahot Arra Forum volunteers opened-up public consultation on the recommendation put into view asking for inputs, and more importantly to raise the awareness level of Hararis in Diaspora regarding the significance of establishing a Congress.
Despite the consensus built around the idea of establishing a Congress initially, there were a great deal of discussions on how to go about establishing the congress, the volunteer organizers and the Pal talk core circle finally came to an agreement to go forward with a new initiative to include ALL Hararis in the process whether they are affiliated to any of Harari Organizations or not.

Thus far, the discussions and the Consultation process has generated a lot of interest and a chain of positive reactions among the vast majority of Hararis in Diaspora and brought about many excellent ideas worth considering. Moreover, it became the litmus test that asserted our determination to get organized under one, all inclusive, umbrella organization.
Finally on Sunday, November 18, 2007, the clock to establish the first International Harari Congress in Diaspora, hereafter known as “The Congress “begun ticking at 6:00 PM (EST) around the globe under the principle of “No Harari Left Behind”,
Congress defined as a supreme body of Hararis in Diaspora, with long term objectives and authority to render decisions at an executive level that endeavors to assist in the Political, Economic and Social affairs of our nation. The congress is envisioned to guarantee and respect the Fundamental Right of each and every Harari to participate, the right to contribute, and the right to elect and get elected irrespective of his/her affiliation to any Mugad or Afocha organizations.
In light of the urgency and importance to establish the Congress, we, All Hararis in Diaspora have an obligation to participate in a Call of our Nation to stand by, and lend our unwavering support in every conceivable way to advance our nation’s political, economical and social causes.
We firmly believe that no amount of excuses will justify the abstinence of any Harari from participating towards this noble and civil duty due to the envisioned Congress’s representation to ALL HARARIS in Diaspora. Hence, we urge each and every one of you, male and female over the age of 18 to participate and effectively contribute toward this initiative.
Please exercise your right to participate, your right to contribute and your right to elect or get elected to a Harari Congress whether you are presently affiliated to any Harari organization or not. Your proactive participation and contribution will make a difference in the future state of our Harari Nation.
As we proceed forward, we invite more volunteers globally to draft the framework of the envisioned Congress and to develop a DATA BASE of Membership by initiating a formal and informal communication with Afochas and other Hararis organizations soon.
Thank You
The Volunteers of Ethio-Harar Muday Alem Hufuq ZiHarari Kilahot Arra.

SHAWAL EID CELBERATION IN ADDIS ABABA

noreply@blogger.com (Harar Connection) — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 23:09:00 +0000

SHAWAL EID CELBERATION IN ADDIS ABABA

ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA

OCT. 29, 2007

Shawal Eid was celebrated among the Harari Community in Addis Ababa colorfully on Sunday October 29, 2007. The event which was held during the day included Mewlid, speeches and interviews and Harari Cultural and modern songs. . Lunch was served at the event. The main organizers of the event were Harai Women League of Addis Ababa .

Although shawal Eid is a controversial holiday to celebrate, one of the elders at the event announced the importance of the event in keeping our cultural heritage and for the community to come together and stick together. Hararis strength and their survival has all depended on their sticking to the culture which was based Islamic principles. During the past the Shwal Eid event has been a means for people to come to know each other and also a pathway for newly weds.

The event's main focus was on the young generation where the message was passed to exert utmost effort in transferring the history culture and language of the Harari People for generation to come. Education was also crucially pointed out for young Hararis to lead their nation in the age of information and technology.

The event was attended by the President of Harar, President Murad Abdullahi, other Harari high authority figures, also Awach and Ayach of the Harari community in Addis as well as most of the community at large

Harari State to execute over 72mln birr dev’t projects

noreply@blogger.com (Harar Connection) — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 14:01:00 +0000

Harar, November 05, 2007 (WIC) - Harari State said it would construct various projects with over 72 million birr this fiscal year.

Finance and Economic Development Bureau Head, Arif Abdulhazif, told WIC that the projects would be carried out in six urban and three rural kebeles beginning this month.

He said the projects focus on education, urban development, agriculture, water, health, capacity building.

Upon completion at the end of this fiscal year, the 41 projects would benefit more than 100,000 residents, according to Arif.

He said the majority of the projects which would be carried out by 14 executive offices and nine kebele administrations are new.

The head further said of the budget earmarked for the execution of the projects,30 million birr was allotted for the construction of a new asphalt road.

The budget allocated for the execution of the projects this budget year exceeded that of last year by 22 million birr, it was indicated.
(c) Walta Information Center, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Harar Water Project in Progress. FB.com

noreply@blogger.com (Harar Connection) — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 17:33:00 +0000

As’salamu Aleykum all,

Good News

Harar Water Project in Progress.

As you all aware in September of 2007 Gursum Community raised its concern on the delay of Harar Water Project, and wrote a letter to the Harari State Administration.

Please find the attached official updated response from the Harari administration Water Project Manager Tawalada Abdosh. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Br. Tawalada Abdosh and Elias Abubeker who made an effort to give us un update on the subject matter.

We hope the project shall be completed on schedule and the Harari Administration will keep us posted.

Best regards,
Meftuh Shash
VP
The FBCGA

teweleda abdosh wrote:

Dear Br.Meftuh Shash
FBCGA Vice President

First of all we would like to thanks a lot for your concern and readiness to take part for the issues written on the newspaper. How ever, the truths about the article are as follows:
1. The story/article published on ‘Capital’ is too old. Because the interview was given to media during the Harar Millennium celebration whereby dozen of journalist including the Regional media together with national government and private broadcasting agency namely; WALTA, ENA, Radio FANA, ETV and from printing media Capital, Fortune, African Best Business Index weekly, Reporter, IRIN, Addis Admas and others, from international media BBC world service, AP, VOA and Voice of Germany Amharic service have been in Harar to report the events.
2. The interview was made in mid of July, 2007. All the above listed broadcasting and printing media were published the issues of Harar water supply on time. The interview was focused on uPVC purchased for town distribution network. At that time the Ethiopian custom duty requested to pay VAT and Surtax. We officially request to exempt the VAT and surtax payment. Unfortunately, it was late to respond on these issues and the issues publicized. However, the efforts made by Federal Ministry of Water Resource (MoWR) are request was accepted and all the uPVC were exempted and free from VAT and Surtax, accounted for amount of two million ETHB Birr.
3. We have doubt for the purchase of Electro-mechanical, pumps and generators there will be the same issues may rise. Even though, the purchases of these materials are on process in order to facilitate and not to requested in the same manner for the purchase of uPVC.
4. The issue of VAT and Surtax to be paid for the materials was reached our Prime Minister during his visit on Harar Millennium anniversary. During his stay at Harar one of the sites visited by the PM was the Harar water supply project. The Harari region president H.E Murad Abdulahadi addressed the issues of VAT and surtax requested by Custom Duty Authority, and the PM promise to solve the problem.
5. Following his officials visited, the MoWR take additional response to handle the issues and efforts are on progress and we have confidence on MoWR that they will exempt the VAT and Surtax.
Current Status of Harar Water Supply and Sanitation Project
ü Installations of main transmission line 60 km, 83% were completed. The remaining 12 km will be completed as scheduled.
ü Construction of pumping station (PS) 60 % completed.
ü Four additional new bore-hole drilled, the tested and potential well fields were i.e. 40 lit/sec resulted.
ü More than 4 million paid for compensation, along the transmission line and well field areas.
ü The procurement of Electro-mechanical, pumps and generators on progress.
ü uPVC for town distribution network delivered to site.
ü Sanitation study for Harar town on progress conducting by Metaferia Consulting Engineers.
ü Harar town distribution network and construction of reservoirs on progress.
ü Construction of new Harar water supply office building under tender process.

Best Regards
Teweleda Abdosh
Manager, Harari water supply and sewerage service Authority

dear highly respected diaspora members

noreply@blogger.com (Harar Connection) — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 16:46:00 +0000

dear highly respected diaspora members

Chinese companies have already finalized the design for concrete asphalt in Harar due to our budget constraints in this year 15 km new concrete asphalt will be developed , and will continue for the next year , inshallah after some 15 days the ceremony for lunching the projects will be undertaken. Already the council have approved the majority capital budget to be invested on this asphalt project. I have also attached some projects underway to reform the municipality ,
please those of you who have the power gez Amharic refer the summary report , and even need your feed back. as you know the focus of development was in the rural area but recently in this two years the gear is changed to urban development
Clik for PDF format

GURSUM COMMUNITY NEWS RELEASE

noreply@blogger.com (Harar Connection) — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 16:02:00 +0000

GURSUM COMMUNITY NEWS RELEASE
The Fugnanbira Community Group Association
www.fugnanbira.com, Email. Fugnanbira@rogers.com.
October 12, 2007

Democracy in Progress

First and most on behalf of Gursum Community Diaspora and myself I would like to extend my sincere Wishes of Happy & joyous Eidul Fitre Holiday to all Ethiopian Muslims in Ethiopia, and around the world with those others who joined this event to celebrate with them.

For over a century Ethiopian Muslims were oppressed and their legitimate human rights were violated, their holidays were unrecognized and confined within themselves. They were not only denied access to media coverage but also treated as a second class citizen in their own homeland by deposed regimes.

Today we manage to proudly watching the Edul Fitre Celebration televised live from the Ethiopian National Television. This is very encouraging to see that citizens are enjoying democracy in progress. Ethiopian Muslims have been contributing heavily in their countries development endeavors and continue to do so with proud ethics. They made history in the world by coexisting peacefully with other fellow citizens practicing other religions.

Congratulations to the Ethiopian Government, its Media outlets and its citizens marching towards developing democratic Ethiopia, fighting poverty and expediting the development endeavors.

Best regards,

Meftuh Shash

Vice President

The Fugnanbira Community Group Association.

Harrari State Council ready to realize dev't program in millennium

noreply@blogger.com (Harar Connection) — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 12:56:00 +0000

Harrar, September 17, 2007 (WIC)- The Harrari State Council announced that it would undertake activities focused on ensuring good governance and registering speedy and sustainable development.

Speaker Abdulmalik Beker told WIC that the council is ready to contribute its share for the realization of the development program launched by the government in the first year of the millennium.

The council would closely monitor the development works in the country through its standing committees to repeat the economic growth registered in four consecutive years in a row this budget year, he added.

Preparations have been made to enhance development, peace and democratization in the millennium, Abdulmalik stressed.

It would closely monitor the activities of institutions at various levels to ensure good governance by putting in place transparent and accountable working procedure, he elaborated.

The council is also ready to do its level best to make poverty history in the millennium by creating national consensus, the speaker added.

It has carried out various capacity building activities last budget year to improve working procedures and efficiently discharge its duties, Abdulmalik indicated, adding that these activities would be enhanced in the new millennium.

The council would jointly work with other state councils, educational and public institutions as well as non-governmental organizations, among others, in the fiscal year, he pointed out.
(c) Walta Information Center, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Memorandum Of Undestanding signed between Toronto & European Harari Communities

noreply@blogger.com (Harar Connection) — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 22:30:00 +0000

Harar to replace dried out water pipelines

noreply@blogger.com (Harar Connection) — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 18:56:00 +0000

By Andualem Sisay

Harar, a town beset with water shortages for over two decades, is going to replace its old and rusted pipelines to get water from the 72 km new pipeline distribution network project that plans to cover in addition to Harar neighboring towns of Aweday and Haromay.
The new line is believed to minimize water contamination, which often used to occur as a result of the old rusted pipelines, according to Bushra Mohamed, Public Relations Head of the Water Supply and Sewerage Authority of the Harari People Regional State.
The installation of the new pipeline will begin within a few days as all the necessary equipment has already arrived at Harar. But according to Bushra, their request for the release of the equipment tax free from the Customs Authority did not receive a positive answer, although the issue has reached the Prime Minister’s office.
It was a few months ago that the Harari People Regional State had requested the government to lift the 54 mln birr surtax and Value Added Tax (VAT), imposed on the already imported equipment for the Dire-Jara project. It is to be recalled that a 100 million birr bid to supply pumps, generators and electromechanical equipment had passed the selection process.
“As the federal government still did not lift the tax on the equipment, Harar’s hope to quench its thirst shortly is still uncertain. Beyond the Federal government’s promises, the equipment has not been released,” Bushra told Capital.
The contractor, China Overseas Construction Company, has finalized the installation of about 60 km of pipeline and is expected to finalize the remaining 11 km, according to Bushra.
The project is funded by a 215 million birr loan and a 12 million birr grant from the African Development Bank (ADB), 66 million birr from the Harari People Regional State and another 20 million birr loan from the Water Development Fund of Ethiopia. The project fund agreement was signed two years ago.
The Dire-Jara project was initiated in 1997 by digging 17 waterholes at Asandiso, 71 km from Harar and 25 km from Dire Dawa. Of the 17 waterholes dug by the region at a cost of 4 million birr, potable water was tapped from twelve.
Currently, there are seven waterholes supplying water in shifts to a population of 160,000. However, in addition to the population living in the city, it was learnt that 29,000 residents in the rural areas of Harar are also suffering from the water shortage.
The Capital

Investors with close to 246mln birr capital licensed in Harrari State

noreply@blogger.com (Harar Connection) — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 17:38:00 +0000

Harrar, September 04, 2007 (WIC) – Investment projects with over 245.9 million birr capital have been licensed last budget year, the Harrari State Investment Office said.

Office Head Abduselam Abdosh told WIC that 73 local investors were licensed to engage in hotel and tourism development, industry, real estate development, agriculture, health, education, service delivery and construction.

Upon going fully operational, the projects would create casual and permanent jobs to 1,518 people, he said.

He said the projects licensed during the reported period exceeded that of the previous year by 80,824,000 birr in capital owing to the efficient service provided by the office.

Some 250 projects with a registered capital of over 523 million birr were licensed over the past ten year creating 3,118 jobs, it was learnt.

Institution of Ombudsman urges unremitting support of executives, state councils

noreply@blogger.com (Harar Connection) — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 16:40:00 +0000

Harrar, August 24, 2007 (WIC) - The FDRE Institution of Ombudsman urged members of state councils, executive bodies at different levels and the community at large to provide unremitting support for its endeavor to ensure good governance.

While briefing the activities and responsibilities of the Institution to members of Harrari State Council here today, Children and Women Ombudsman with the rank of Minister, Adanech Dilnesahu, said the institution needs the support of members of state councils to efficiently discharge its responsibilities.

The institution is working with an objective of ensuring quality, efficient and transparent good governance through making sure that the executive body is respecting the legal rights and interests of the public.

According to her, the institution has the authority to control whether administrative directives issued by executive bodies and their decisions and procedures are not against the constitutional rights of the public and to receive, investigate and seek solutions for complaints on maladministration.

She mentioned that the institution has received over 12,000 applications of complaints during the last two years and added that some 10,000 of those were already solved while the rest are still pending.

Among the major sorts of complaints submitted to the institution were concerned with construction license, suspension from job, relegation from position and salary, payment of pension allowance, return of houses confiscated without proclamation, expropriation from holdings and payment of compensation, she elaborated.

Harrari State Chief Administrator Murad Abdulhadi on the occasion pledged to make all the necessary support and contribution to the success of objectives of the institution.

The Chief Administrator, members of the Harrari State Council and Harrari National Congress and heads of executive offices attended the consultative forum.

Harari state council meeting concluds

noreply@blogger.com (Harar Connection) — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 16:36:00 +0000

Harar, August 24, 2007 (Harar) - The 1st regular conference of the Harari State council concluded on Thursday after approving over 172 million Birr annual recurrent budget, appointing cabinet’s members and endorsing various bills.

The council endorsed bills providing for the restructuring of the state mass media agency, the redefinition of the state's executive organs and the establishment of the state's ethics and anti-corruption commission.Members of the council recommended for the increment of state's hospitals’ annual budget from the reserve budget saying the ten million Birr allocated would not be adequate for effective health service delivery.

The council has sacked Zeydan Bekri, who was member of the state’s cabinet and head of public mobilization, culture and social affairs bureau on the grounds of inefficient performance. The council appointed Emaj Indris in place of Zeydan.

Following the separation of the former education and capacity building bureau, the council has entitled Regassa Kefyalew to head the capacity building Bureau in addition to his current position as the state deputy head.

The council unanimously approved the appointment of Nebil Mohamed as the head of the State Education bureau.

---END---

Performance of Harari State during completed budget year said encouraging

noreply@blogger.com (Harar Connection) — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 12:33:00 +0000

Harar, August 22, 2007 (Harar) - Chief of the Harari State, Murad Abdulahi said the performance of the state during the completed budget year is highly encouraging.

Presenting an annual performance report to the State Council in Harar town on Tuesday, Murad said most of the development plans both in regular and capital budget were successfully implemented.

The participation of the public in development plans is one of the reasons for this success, he said.

A total of 80 outstanding and new projects aimed at addressing major socio-economic problems were executed during the year, with nearly 59 million birr allocated budget.

Some 71 percent of the activities planned under the capital budget were executed.

The state collected over 28.6 million Birr in revenues from various sources. The amount of revenue collected during the reported period exceeds the set target by 3.6 million birr.

In the past year, the state also issued investment licenses to 80 investors with an aggregate capital of nearly 382 million Birr.

The Dire-Jabe safe water project, which was designed to address the shortage of safe water in the state, is progressing well, he said.

The state helped more than 2200 youths to start micro and small-scale businesses. The states provided various equipment worth two million Birr to youths in order to make their activities profitable.

Over 11 million Birr obtained from more than 26,400 local and foreign tourists visited attractions during the reported period.

In its three-day conference, the council will discuss plans for the current budget year. It would also debate and endorse various bills and regulations.

Furthermore, the council will discuss legislation proposing the re-establishment of state executive offices, and the establishment of the state ethics and anti-corruption commission, he said.

The council will hear the annual report of the state's auditor general, the Supreme Court and committees of the council.

---END---