The Addis Ababa municipal building which underwent renovation has just been inaugurated. The historic Addis Ababa municipal building was built 57 years back during the Imperial era.
The municipal building has encompassed one of the busy theatre centers in the Capital- the City Hall Theatre and Cultural Center which also has an art gallery on the ground floor. The new renovation means that the country’s theatre sector boasting rich traditions unfortunately does not bask under much attention. But soon it will get focal attention after this massive rebuilding.
The Addis Ababa municipal building has underwent a major renovation without losing its legacy and appearance. It has been renovated in a way that allows it render a beautiful and comfortable service and modernizes the city, stated the incumbent City Mayor Adanech Abebe.
“As our city is the capital of Ethiopia and the political seat of Africa, the seat of international institutions and a diplomatic center, we will continue to do what it deserves.”
This building is a treasure trove of history and heritages, she further stated.
The purpose of the renovation works is to connecting the present and the future. We have been taking lessons about the significance of such trans generational heritages as well as the importance of patriotism and working for the motherland Ethiopia, inspiring the young people to know more about their forefathers and prepare for more missions and being a pride part of the nation’s historic town Addis Ababa and the country in general, according to the Mayor.
“Unleashing the existing values and significance, and modernizing it with new values and quality.”
According to her, the building is not only a heritage for our city but also a treasure that the generation shall know and poster to generations. We will work to make this heritage and others to safeguarded and contribute their shares to ensure the Ethiopian renaissance.
This is the beginning but not the end; our journey is continuous and big. The city administration will continue to build and rebuild many heritages that have greater values to our people, learning our past thinking of better tomorrow than tomorrow, she committed her administration.
The historic city hall is a landmark building which was first erected on 17 January 1957 and inaugurated by Emperor Haile Selassie-I, 57 years ago, and now set for renovation.
The city administration has been renovating the building in a way that is very standard and is designed to be accessible to all communities in a way that is conducive to the beneficiaries and will render all the necessary services.
The renovation consists of children’s day care center, libraries, training and research departments, clinics, theatre hall, meeting halls, staff and professionals dining hall and various offices, with adequate parking, green areas and urban farming, have been renovated.
It has been refurbished and inaugurated late last week with a new temperament and quality of modernization without releasing the existing values and significance.
According to Debo Tunka, General Manager of the Mega Projects for his part underscored that the renovation of the Addis Ababa City Municipal Building is one of the mega projects which is expected to solve the city’s problems and be built in a short period of time. This shows that Ethiopia is still at its development trajectory despite various challenges.
The restoration of the Addis Ababa City municipal building in a beautiful manner with its heritage will enable the employees and leadership to properly utilize the knowledge and time they have, according to some of the city officers. The building includes various services including the Addis Ababa City Theater.
BY HAFTU GEBREZGABIHER
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 28 JANUARY 2022
