Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, flanked by parliament speaker Muferiat Kamil, addresses the members of parliament inside the House of Peoples' Representatives during a meeting for the approval of the 2018-19 budget in Addis Ababa, July 6, 2018. (Photo: VCG)
The Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Wednesday hailed the progress on Ethiopia"s Riverside Green Development Project, dubbed "Beautifying Sheger Project."
The Chinese-funded 12-km section of the 56-km Beautifying Sheger Project was launched in October 2019.
Initiated by the prime minister, the project is being carried out with a view of beautifying and making the capital of the East African country Addis Ababa a hub of urban tourism as well, whereby it provides outstanding attraction in the city and also helps boost the country"s tourism and economy.
With the financial support from the Chinese government and contracted by the China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), the project includes the construction of the Central Square (about 48 hectares) and the 12-km river treatment, from Entoto Mountain to Peacock Reach.
Visiting the project site on Wednesday, Prime Minister Abiy hailed the progress within three months, and reiterated the multiple benefits and opportunities created with the project, especially upon its completion.
Accompanying the Prime Minister on his visit to the project, Tan Jian, Chinese Ambassador to Ethiopia, reiterated that it is a friendship project between China and Ethiopia.
Recalling that the first phase of the project would be completed this year, when Ethiopia and China celebrate the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic ties, the ambassador said such projects would further cement the long-standing relations between the two countries and their peoples.
"This is a friendship project; and I believe with the projects like this, our relations will be further enhanced; and people visiting here, people touring here, they will appreciate the friendship, and the contribution by the Chinese government. And I believe that the bond, the friendship between our countries, between our peoples will be strengthened," the ambassador said.
Speaking to Xinhua after the site visit, Billene Seyoum, Press Secretary of Ethiopia"s premier, said they have witnessed that the project is progressing with key milestones.
"As promised by the Chinese government and the Chinese contractors, there are key milestones that have been achieved as we can see that just about three month ago, this area was very barren but now there are key milestones that have been achieved with regards to the construction element," she said.
Billene added that the project has already employed about 1,500 local workers, and predicted that up to 5,000 jobs are going to be created to sustain the site as well upon its completion.
Speaking to Xinhua, Shen Jiaqi, Executive General Manager of CCCC Ethiopia, thanked the prime minister for the visit and said CCCC has enough capacity to finish the project which will further consolidate the China-Ethiopia ties.
