April 2, 2018 (Megabit 24) holds a special place in the Ethiopian Modern History. It is a day that united the people of the country regardless of ethnicity, religion, occupation, geography …etc. It enhanced the combined power of working together that is greater than the power achieved by working separately.
Deputy Prime Minister, Temesgen Tiruneh, explained the day in his message: “It has become a starting point for moving from debt to reward. It has created a context for creation and acceleration. Through the Dine for Shegger, Dine for Nation, and Dine for Generation, it has enabled the nation to launch and complete projects [timely with own capacity] and inaugurate. It has enabled national ideas such as the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) to overcome obstacles and lit their light.”
‘Let us transit with forgiveness. Let us be synergized with love. Clean and Green Ethiopia, Green Legacy, Digital Ethiopia, Yelemat Tirufat (Bounty of the Basket), Food Sovereignty, School Feeding, Corridor Development, etc’ initiatives are the results of Megabit 24, counted the Deputy Prime Minister.
Education Reform, Macroeconomic Reform, Foreign Relations Reform, Security Institutions Reform; Justice Institutions Reform; Democratic Institutions Reform; Media Reform; etc. are the fruits of March 24 further listed.
Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen further noted that the past is receding from Ethiopia, while tomorrow is approaching. Ethiopia is close to achieving its rightful position in the world. Along the path of progress, all the works that have been started to lead Ethiopia to prosperity have begun bearing fruits.
Ethiopia, which used to be known for its poverty and backwardness, has begun to be known for its wheat, Green Legacy, the GERD, convenient tourist destinations, rapid economic growth, etc.
“We must not only nurture and spread the fruits of the multifaceted Megabit 24 reform, but also protect the fruits from the scoundrels and the foxes. No one will stop us from our goal. We will not let anyone slow us down. We will build prosperity with the stones thrown at us. We will work hard to bring the fruits of Megabit 24 to every village in Ethiopia,” he vowed.
Equally, Addis Ababa City Administration senior officials, senior scholars, invited guests, and various segments of society has also held a city-wide panel discussion under the title: ‘Past, Present and Future for Ethiopia’s Supremacy’ at Adwa Victory Memorial Museum to create common understanding of the current situation by commemorating Megabit 24.
Deputy Mayor, Jantrar Abay noted that efforts to establish an inclusive political system and implementing homegrown economic reforms have resulted in significant achievements in repairing the fracture of the country improving the living standards during the past seven years of the Megabit 24 reform.
“The efforts being made to make Addis Ababa a symbol of prosperity will be strengthened by adding to the good deeds and correcting mistakes,” he said expressing gratitude for the mature and committed leadership Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD).
Equally, Head of Addis Ababa City Prosperity Party Branch Office, Moges Balcha, noted on the event that the national reform, which has gained public support, has been consolidated through democratic elections and has been accompanied by results which are to be strengthened.
“The national transformation has brought about Homegrown Philosophy-Synergy and is building a common national narrative,” he mentioned the outcomes of Megabit 24 in the past seven years of the reform.
The national reform has strengthened Ethiopia’s journey to ensure overall prosperity by extracting opportunities from challenges, he explained adding that the 24/7 working culture has become the momentum to make Addis Ababa a symbol of prosperity.
Among the participants, Zemedeneh Ngatu, a known economic consultant, noted that 1.2 million jobs have been created in Addis Ababa during the past seven years of the reform. And its revenue collection has increased from 30 billion in 2011 E.C to 145 billion Birr in last year.
It is evident that Addis Ababa is turning green, he said noting that 265,000 houses have been built and handed over to beneficiaries in an effort to alleviate the housing problem by involving the private sector extensively.
He also explained that Addis Ababa is expanding as a tourist destination as huge projects are being implemented to properly utilize the favorable conditions through enhancing the revival of the tourism sector.
“The transformation of Addis Ababa is very rapid and incredible,” Zemedeneh noted expressing: “the corridor development has shown us the city we desire in a short time, achieving in one year the progress that some cities took 30 years to achieve.”
Regarding the achievements recorded in the social sector, Alemayehu Areda (PhD), stated that development and people are inseparable, as a result, people-centered developments are being widely implemented.
Citing the school feeding twice a day and educational materials provision to the over 800, 000 students as an example, Dr. Alemayehu noted that the Megabit 24 reform has begun to make a significant contribution to the accessibility and quality of education.
Both of them recommended that though forces seeking to weaken Ethiopia are working hard to weaken institutions, the efforts initiated both at city and national level need to be strengthened to build inclusive, effective, and competent institutions through developing and strengthening institutional mechanisms.
Equally, Ambassador Dina Mufti, who presented a research paper on the activities carried out in the field of diplomacy over the past seven years of Megabit 24 reform, noted that leadership skills and adherence to international law were crucial as they safeguarded national interests.
Ethiopia has national capabilities that play a crucial role in creating international influence through its population, natural resources, favorable climate, land of human origin, and being the seat of the African Union, while internal conflicts, lack of peace in the region, and terrorist activities are among the challenges.
He also mentioned that the conspiracy that was hatched by going all the way to the United Nations Security Council to disrupt the GERD was thwarted by successful diplomacy.
The corridor development of the will strengthen Addis Ababa’s position as the capital of Africa; he expressed noting that efforts to attract investment, to increase tourism flows, and to accelerate technology transfer are crucial to the success of diplomacy. The strong efforts to make Ethiopia own a port are a success, although there is a need to focus on building national capacity.
Similarly, Afar State President, Awol Arba, has a special explanation for the day: “Megabit 24 is the day we began our ascent to the heights. April 2, 2018 is a historic day when we, as a country, joined hands and began our journey to the heights.”
The past seven years of the reform have been a time when all parts of Ethiopia, as a nation, have successfully overcome many challenges and achieved successes in various sectors for common prosperity, he said in his message regarding the seventh Megabit 24 reform commemoration.
By expanding the political land space and following the leadership wisdom that guides the nation’s journey, Ethiopia has been able to move towards a brighter future, he appreciated the reform.
The comprehensive reform that was carried out gradually eliminated single-party system and strengthened the common governance system and presented the complete picture of Ethiopia, making it a reality of multinational federalism on the contrary. “The states that were previously isolated from central politics under the distorted label of “partner” were able to become major actors in the overall affairs of their country as a result of the Megabit 24,” he recalled the pain of marginalization.
He also mentioned that completing projects and opening them for services, making areas like Afar productive through irrigation and achieving series of victory in diplomacy through competition and cooperation are among reasons why the day is commemorated. “We must continue to strengthen our collective efforts to achieve even greater victories than we have achieved so far.”
Furthermore, Gambella State President, Alemitu Umod, also considers the day a unique historic day. “Megabit 24 is a day when remarkable victories were recorded in all fields by repairing the fractures that were visible in our country.”
For her, April 2, 2018 brought solutions to the uncountable political, economic and social problems throughout the nation. It transformed the challenges into opportunities. The works done in the past seven years have strengthened and modernized agricultural development ensuring food security. “The development works being carried out to make cities livable and modern has become a model for Africa beyond our country.”
Gambella Regional Prosperity Party Branch Office Head, Ashne Astin, also elucidated that it has enhanced an inclusive political participation without any marginalization.
The achievement recorded during the past seven years of the reform reflect the people’s desire for change and provide energy for further change, and that leaders at all levels are expected to rise with greater determination for persistent victories.
BY DIRRIBA TESHOME
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 4 APRIL 2025
