BY TEWODROS KASSA
According to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), cities need to plan now to be able to deliver the resources and services neededto ensure their populations survive and thrive. Public transport and facilities, water supply, sanitation, energy, food and security are just some of the pressurepoints that will be affected by rising urbanization. Sustainable, safe and resilient buildings and civil engineering works are essential for cities to thrive in the future.
Moreover, prioritizing green areas is fundamental to maintain a comfortable city that is conducive for living and; lead towards a better socio-economic development.
Currently, the Ethiopian government is undertaking wide infrastructural development in the capital Addis Ababa and other tourist’s destinations. Sheger Park, Meskel Square, Entoto Park, and Unity Park are the major outstanding achievements of the government in making Addis Ababa one of the most flourishing and impressive cities as its name.
Recently, the second phase of Sheger Park, which is part of the Sheger Beautifying Project that was designed with the aim to make Addis Ababa clean and worthy of its name, and to make it favourable to its inhabitants, was inaugurated in the presence of First Lady Zinash Tayachew, Addis Ababa City Mayor Adanech Abebie, high government officials and various members of the community.
While inaugurating the park, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) underscored that the government is working to build a better Ethiopia.
“The second phase of Friendship Park opened today. It combines sports, games, and social interaction. Children learn about science and technology while playing. Young people read and engage in sports. Parents and grandparents bring their children with them to share social experiences. Newlyweds exchange vows in the wedding garden. We will continue to raise better generations for the sake of the future Ethiopia,” the Premier tweeted.
According to local media, mass wedding has been carried out in a ceremony held inside the newly inaugurated second phase of Sheger Park in the presence of Prime Minister Abiy.
It is to be recalled that Office of the Prime Minister offered a special gift to couples who wish to conduct their wedding ceremony during the inauguration of the second phase of the Friendship Park inside its wedding garden.
Accordingly, several couples who responded to the offer have got married in a ceremony held inside the wedding garden of the park. The newly opened park is comprised of various standard entertainment providing facilities including children playing grounds, wedding gardens, football and basketball playing fields, art gallery, cafeterias among others and remains open for visitors.
“Marriage is a means of establishing a family, which is one of a nation’s core institutions. Congratulations to all who married at the wedding garden on the day the Friendship Park phase two was launched. With the joy of your wedding, you have blessed this wonderful site that welcomes Ethiopians as well as visitors for international, national, and social activities,” the Prime Minister tweeted.
Meanwhile, Addis is undertaking massive reforms to attract numerous local and international tourists.
Recently, the city unveiled its new motto to transform the tourism sector and become more competitive in the sector. Addis Ababa City Culture, Arts and Tourism Bureau stated that concerted efforts need to make fundamental change on tourism industry to help the nation benefit much out of it. The new motto named “Addis Ababa- the vibrant hub of Africa” sought to embrace all Africans to come to their capital and feel at home far from home.
During the announcement of the new motto Addis Ababa City Culture, Arts and Tourism Bureau Head Hirut Kassaw (PhD) said that the tourism sector has been playing a decisive role in the social, economic and political developments over the years and a lot is being carried out to make Addis attractive capital and to ensure its being African tourism centre using the motto drawn from “Ethiopia is the Land of Origin.”
Moreover, Ethiopia needs to rethink the new model to effectively use this smokeless industry. Though the country has huge tourism resources, it has not yet gained adequate benefit out of the sector for various reasons. Lack of marketing and promotion, infrastructure challenge, absence of skilled human power in the area, and the like are the serious factors which potentially hinder the sufficient advantage from the tourism sector.
Expanding tourism destinations, promotion and marketing, improving service delivery, giving serious attention to peace and security, among others, are the main focusing areas of the Bureau in a bid to realize the city’s plan to become African center of tourism in the near future.
City’s Deputy Mayor, Jantrar Abay on his part said that the United Nation celebrates World Tourism Day every year using various mottoes based on the situations. “That is why this year’s world tourism day was celebrated under the slogan ‘Rethinking Tourism’ to mean that the sector requires new thinking and paradigm to realize holistic significances.”
Currently, the city is undertaking various reforms to efficiently exploit the huge tourism resources. The government of Ethiopia has allocated huge budget and human resource for establishing and expanding new tourism destinations like Unity, Friendship, Entoto parks, and Meskel Squire in the city.
He called up on stakeholders to attach serious attention to the tourism sector, which was exposed to critical damage due to the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic and northern conflict. Besides, he stated that the city administration in collaboration with concerned bodies and concerned bodies will embark on promoting tourism development through structural activity via bridging the gap in terms of skilled human power, technology transformation.
Photo – ENA
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 4 NOVEMBER 2022
