- Residents electing interim representatives
BY DARGIE KAHSAY
ADDIS ABABA-Peace and stability has already been restored apart from resuming social services’ delivery in Mekelle, the capital of Tigray State, as State’s Interim Administration and office of the Mayor are working around the clock identifying priority issues.
In an exclusive interview with The Ethiopian Press Agency (EPA) yesterday, the new Mekelle City Mayor with the Tigray Provisional Administration, Ataklti Hailesilassie, stated that following the completion of the law enforcement in the state, the interim administration is working closely with the federal government in resuming various social services and reestablishing stability in the city.
Atakilti said that basic services and facilities such as urban transportation, water and power supplies have resumed in full swing while telecom and other services are going functional in Mekelle city.
He said works are underway in ensuring stability and development of the city working hand in hand with the residents, the States’ interim administration and the federal government.
According to Atakilti prior to the completion of the operation, Mekelle used to suffer from looting of public property, interrupting of basic services and facilities, accessing basic goods, closing of market places and prolonging security threats.
Following the arrival of ENDF in the city, the residents have resumed their normal life as the security, water supply, electricity, telecom and other basic services are back to normal, the mayor added.
The misinformation propaganda spread by the TPLF junta was intended to make people feel insecure and lose trust in the federal government and the new administration,
the Mayor said adding that following the restoration of services, peace and stability in the city with the support of the ENDF, the residents have begun to build trust in the government and have also resumed normal life.
“Having discussed with the States Interim Administration, we have identified priority areas to manage the transition smoothly and provide timely services and support to the city residents,” Ataklti said, adding that “step by step we are working and restoring the services and taking the necessary actions to maintain peace and stability of the city.”
Along with maintaining peace and stability, resuming services and providing aids and medical equipment, the interim administration is working to bringing about functional administrative offices establishing cabinet, city and sub-city councils.
Atakilti said residents of the city are electing their representatives form Kebelle administrations to establish sub-city councils and the sub-city councils are going to eventually put in place the Chief Executives of the respective Sub-cities.
The interim administration is open to involve political parties that back the reform process and are committed to manage the transition as well as capable of responding to the people’s demands. Accordingly, Arena, Tigray Democratic Party, and Asimba Democratic Party are embraced in the interim administration, he noted
Although the previous propaganda and other ill-information have created a trauma, the interim administration political leaders are working in collaboration to manage it properly by devising a strategy. The practical responses of the federal government in restoring the basic services are also easing the social threats of the people, Atakilti stated.
The Ethiopian Herald December 16/2020
