Yesterday 31st, October 2024, the House of People’s Representatives (HoPR) held its 6th round of the 4th year term, 3rd regular session, in the presence of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD).
At the session, members of the House of People’s Representatives forwarded a number of quires to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. Among the range of pressing national issues raised by Parliamentarians to the Premier, the country’s economic progress and the ever-increasing cost of living, peace and security challenges, law enforcement activities, and corridor development activities, were some.
The Premier responded to the questions raised and clarified the overall activities of the country.
While responding to a question regarding the cost of living, the Premier said that inflation is challenging many countries across the world. Ethiopia’s case is not special in this regard. However, the government has taken many measures to reduce the rate of inflation, even though complex problems at the international level are still making it a challenge.
Mentioning that the government has been working committedly and persistently to bring inflation down to a single digit. Abiy said that the major viable solution for Ethiopia to reduce the rate is to increase production and productivity. In this regard, the government has taken several measures. In turn, it was made possible to register remarkable achievements in the agricultural sector, including wheat. He also said that modernizing the business system also has greater importance in reducing inflation.
Currently, it is possible to lower the inflation rate to 17 percent; and more efforts will be exerted to reduce it meaningfully, the Premier confirmed.
The Premier also mentioned the activities carried out to support the disadvantaged section of the society. He said that the government allocated over 91 billion birr for salary increments and it will be implemented starting this month (Tikemt). The increment will be applicable at the federal level.
“What is more, by joining hands with local investors, in the past few years, we have constructed and transferred 249 thousand houses to low-income residents at the national level.”
Equally, the government has allocated a subsidy budget of 300 to 400 billion birr to lessen the burden of the most underprivileged section of society, so that the cost of living does not put more pressure on them.
School feeding and meal sharing programs as well as Sunday markets are part of the government’s efforts that were designed to address the challenges of the less fortunate, he remarked.
In relation to job creation, the Premier said that at the current Ethiopian budget year, a plan is set to create job opportunities for 4.3 million people, of which 700 thousand are overseas. Several works are being carried out to make it a reality.
According to the Premier, during the last three months of the fiscal year, more than 100 thousand citizens have benefitted from employment opportunities created in foreign countries. “We have started sending citizens to Europe for employment in addition to Asian countries. What is more, including coding and data analysis, online job opportunities were created for over 26 thousand citizens.
The issue of peace and security was the other area that the Premier briefed parliamentarians.
We prioritize peace more than anyone else. Peace is more viable than force option. We need peace more than anyone else. We don’t want war because we know it in practice and not in rumors and because it took the lives of many and cost us a lot. We prefer to resolve any disagreements amicably. Nobody can achieve its purpose by force and hatred; rather by peace talk. There is a need for real change in this country, and peace is needed for this to happen. We have started peace talks with forces operating in Amhara and Oromia regions. Those armed who come holding firearms cannot build the nation’s economy,” he stressed.
In Ethiopia’s development process, if one region does not develop, Ethiopia will not develop or transform. In Amhara State remarkable works have been done in the industry and road sectors, he said adding that, “if there is a problem that we have made unintentionally while we were working and developing, we will fix it.
As to him, we should think carefully and radically as thoughtless struggle does not bear fruits.
Mentioning that the outcome of the peace option is higher and preferable than the power option, the Premier said “All of you should understand that peace is an issue that we want it more, as peace is very important to bring about a tangible change in this country.”
Concerning poverty, Abiy said: “We embrace and support the poor; but we avenge poverty.” According to him, we have to see the poor and poverty separately. If poverty and the poor are mixed, we cannot ensure prosperity. We should abhor poverty and avenge it. Prosperity loves the poor, sympathizes with the poor, but detests poverty. So we have to differentiate poverty and the poor. However, some people mix the two and say “why the already dilapidated houses are broken down?”
“What challenges us more is not transforming the Ethiopian economy, but the people who cannot understand that the Ethiopian economy is changing,” he added.
Prime Minister Abiy also revealed the success story registered in various sectors during the national reform years.
The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of collaboration among stakeholders to ensure high-quality service delivery, security, and the development of tourism offerings that reflect the capital’s rich history. He set an ambitious goal for 8.4 percent GDP growth and urged a shift from outdated mindsets to a more visionary approach.
“Completing the reforms that were being carried out in various sectors, we have reached the first chapter of the era that we commence the national revival. Thus, this Ethiopian year will be a year that we will register tangible outcomes. To this end, detaching ourselves from yesterday’s thinking, we have to transcend together to see the better tomorrow.”
Highlighting recent successes in the tourism sector, Abiy credited government initiatives, including “Dine for Ethiopia” and corridor developments, for fostering a thriving environment. “It is time that we reap the benefits of activities previously undertaken,” he affirmed.
Over the past three months, the country has hosted 20 international conferences— an impressive increase compared to the previous year. This surge in conference tourism is seen as a vital component of the overall tourism strategy, with plans to continue this trend moving forward, he pointed out.
Abiy highlighted ongoing efforts to combat illegal markets, currency smuggling, and exploitative diplomatic practices, making it clear that illegal extraction of resources would not be tolerated. He indicated that reforms to trade facilitation policies would be implemented to ensure diplomatic missions align with national interests.
Addressing the issue of Franco Valuta, Abiy suggested that it has strayed from its intended purpose, contributing to capital flight from Ethiopia. “Franco Valuta has lost its purpose. This must change,” he noted.
BY MENGETEAB TESHOME
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 1 NOVEMBER 2024
