Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia and Africa deserves to shine up to its name. The city sought to be more vibrant and preferable for life as the government is undertaking enormous mega projects to change its look and improve the lives of its residents.
Recently, the concept of a quality village has gained popularity as a solution to the growing need for sustainable and comfortable living environments in Addis Ababa. The issue of quality living spaces is highly sought after by Addis residents looking to enhance their quality of life.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed officially inaugurated the ‘Quality Village’ recently. During the ceremony, the Prime Minister said that the new facility would help the nation maintain the quality of domestic products and increase international competitiveness.
The Premier added that the “Quality Village” is designed to enhance the competitiveness of the local products in global markets and improve the country’s participation in global value chains.
“As one of our leading national institutions, it will play a vital role in strengthening our export capabilities and ensuring that we remain competitive in the international arena,” the prime minister added.
The newly Inaugurated ‘Quality Village’ is a critical institution designed to catalyze the competitiveness of Ethiopia’s local products in global markets and enhance its participation in global value chains, Abiy stated.
In a social media post, the Premier also said, “Before officially inaugurating ‘Quality Village, I had the opportunity to visit and review the National Quality Infrastructure we have developed,” the Premier said on a social media post.
The Office of the Prime Minister announced that the “Quality Village” is a landmark national quality infrastructure project initiated several years ago during Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s tenure as Minister of Science and Technology.
Accordingly, the institutions housed within Quality Village include the Ethiopian Standards Institute, Ethiopian Conformity Assessment Enterprise, Ethiopian Metrology Institute, Ethiopian Accreditation Service, and Ethiopian Technology Authority.
Moreover, Ethiopia’s National Quality Infrastructure (NQI) aims to enhance the quality assurance services available to businesses by strengthening the country’s overall quality framework. According to the Office, the NQI encompasses standards development, metrology, accreditation, conformity assessment, market surveillance, and quality promotion.
Equipped with state-of-the-art technology and enhanced capabilities, Quality Village positions Ethiopia to align more effectively with international standards, reducing technical barriers and enabling greater participation in global trade, the Office said.
The government reiterated its commitment to penetrating the global market with high-quality export products as it inaugurated a quality infrastructure dubbed “Quality Village” in the capital.
So far, the infrastructure inaugurated by Prime Minister Abiy was built at a cost of over 5.3 billion Birr, aimed at maximizing the quality and volume of products.
Similarly, Deputy Prime Minister, Temesgen Tiruneh said that the establishment of the “Quality Village” is of great importance to upgrade the quality of Ethiopia’s export products.
According to Temesgen, a strong quality control system should be developed as it helps ensure the standard of production, productivity, and procurement process.
“Particularly, in agriculture, manufacturing industry, medical sector, technology, and other fields, the “Quality Village” is of great importance to maintain quality and avoid waste. What is more, it helps to ensure international competitiveness,” he said.
He further stated that the “Quality Village” infrastructure assists in laying the foundation for sustainable development through exporting quality products and realizing global competitiveness.
Approached by The Ethiopian Herald, Trade and Regional Integration Minister, Kassahun Gofe (PhD) said that Ethiopia has built Africa’s leading “Quality Village” allocating a huge amount of money aimed at realizing quality products.
As a country amongst the major producers of cereals, pulses, and oilseeds, Ethiopia is striving to take a unique position in the global markets with processed export products, he stated.
The newly inaugurated “Quality Village” incorporates laboratories that test ceramic, battery, and solar energy equipment, which are not widely available in many African countries. According to the Prime Minister’s office, the infrastructure houses institutions such as the Ethiopian Standards Institute, Ethiopian Conformity Assessment Enterprise, Ethiopian Metrology Institute, Ethiopian Accreditation Service, and Ethiopian Technology Authority.
Meanwhile, as part of the 5th anniversary of the Prosperity Party, members of the society from different parts of the country visited the recently inaugurated Quality Village. According to them, the facility will enable Ethiopia to become competitive globally by exporting quality products.
Underscoring the value of quality in all aspects, the delegates highlighted that it should always be the center of all activities. They also appreciated the high attention the government has given to quality, refeering to the state of the art that the Village is constructed. They shared their views on the importance of maintaining such emphasis for quality across all domains.
No doubt, living in a quality village offers numerous advantages for residents. From well-designed housing units to green spaces and community amenities, these villages are designed to enhance the overall quality of life for inhabitants. By prioritizing comfort, sustainability, and community engagement, quality villages in Addis Ababa are setting a new standard for urban living.
Therefore, living in a quality village can significantly improve the quality of life for individuals and families. With access to modern amenities, green spaces, and a strong sense of community, residents can lead healthier, more fulfilling lives. The emphasis on sustainability and environmental consciousness also contributes to a better quality of life, both for current residents and future generations.
Experts also emphasize that with the rapid urbanization and population growth in Addis Ababa, the demand for quality living spaces has never been higher. Choosing to reside in a quality village offers a host of benefits, including a higher quality of life, sustainable and eco-friendly living spaces, community engagement and social connections as well as access to modern amenities and conveniences and enhanced safety and security measures.
In sum, as the city continues to grow and evolve, the concept of quality villages is sounding and will play an essential role in shaping the urban landscape. By prioritizing quality living spaces and community well-being, the city can create a more sustainable and vibrant city for all its residents. With a focus on innovation, sustainability, and community engagement, quality villages are paving the way for a brighter future in Addis Ababa.
BY TEWODROS KASSA
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD THURSDAY 5 DECEMBER 2024
