BY STAFF REPORTER
“When I first came and visited the house of the woman whom I handed over her new house’s key today, I had faced with difficulties in getting out of the house. I will not forget the situation. It was almost impossible for me to get in and come out of the house. However, the woman was living here, with such condition and experience for long.
I am mentioning this just to demonstrate how the case is trying and to make it clear how the matter is demanding. Our city is not a place only for the rich people. Rather, it is also a city where the poor live. We have to keep the balance between the two.
The availability of rich people in our city enables us to get supports from them be it financial, material, professional; or other forms of assistances. They stand by the side of us. Through joining hands and doing whatever we can, we can support the impoverished ones to betterment their lives, make them love their city more, beam ray of hope inside them and help them lead a relatively better life,” said Addis Ababa City Mayor Adanech Abiebie at the program organized recently to inaugurate the new houses built for the underprivileged segment of the society.
Without exaggeration, the day radiated joy and hope; and created sense of belongingness inside those destitute families who were living in dire straits and suffering from extreme poverty. As if they are predestined, they lived for long tangling with life. For years fighting for their survival, they led a life that no one wants not to live it even to experience it.
Rainy season though is the most awaited time of the year, for these people whose houses and properties are showered by massive amount of rainwater, and spend several nights unsleepy, it was considered as the worst time because their miseries are escalating and things have gone downhill.
However, thanks to the commitment of the City Administration, their sufferings and worries have ended up and become a story that they will narrate it for their descendants.
“We are performing various people-centered development activities in every part of the city. Completing the buildings that are under construction as well as that are already completed, we will fairly transfer the houses to the people who are identified as poor”, said Adanech while inaugurating two apartments built in Kirkos Sub City, Woreda eight, ‘Yelibe Fana’ School, and other two condominiums. She also handed over 35 houses to 35 residents of the project in accordance to the width and size of their living space by lots.
The Mayor said that by rebuilding shanty Kebele houses, the Administration is working to improve the lives of many vulnerable people. As to her, the houses are built in a modern way.
“Today by embarrassing those individuals who had been attempting to rob the poor through employing various structural systems, we have enabled to construct and deliver houses to the unfortunate ones fairly. This will ensure Administration’s commitment and dedications. I can assure that we will never forget the public trust and do not erode your hope as our honor is to serve the people fairly,” she remarked.
Restating that the houses were constructed in modern way, Adanech said that though it was not planned to complete them, they are completed with lots of ups and downs today.
“As to Mayor Adanech, it is not only in this activity, but there are also several hindrances in other works. However, it is not the challenges that defeat us, but it is an air of despondency and low spirit from loss of hope. The day we say it is impossible, we will fail. When we lose hope, we will be defeated. But, if we develop a sense of ‘yes, we can’ and work together to that end, we can go far.
We would not give up or lay down our arms for challenges and obstacles we are facing now. Rather, we have to work to beat the obstacles and win all the challenges, as she stated.
“Even though thieves and traitors who traded publics’ trust make every effort and go miles to challenge us, they will not win us. Truth always prevails, “ Adanech underscored.
Kirkos Sub City CEO Zemenu Dessalegne on his part said that through the help, the support and supervision of Mayor Adanech, over the last 60 days different floor houses which are expected to solve the housing problems of 135 residents are nearing to completion. Similarly, by renovating over 921 houses, we are beaming ray of hope to the elders, he remarked.
Following the political reformation in the country several measures are taken by the government. The City Administration that oaths to fill the gaps of the community and improve their livelihood, is trying its level best.
The housing problem, which is one of the major challenges for most Addis residents, is among the areas the City Administration has intervened in. This is especially true for those people in need of help. Starting from the time the Administration took office; it has renovated and constructed several houses to benefit economically poor members of the society.
As it was indicated by the Mayor, most of the renovated houses were found in bad condition. These shanty houses and the villages they are found in were not suitable to live or to spend hours in. However, thanks to the effort of the City Administration and the Mayor, the image and lifestyle of most beneficiaries have changed.
The houses were built by Ethiopian Construction Works Corporation, it was learnt.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 22 JULY 2022
