BY LAKACHEW ATINAFU
Beyond fatalities and physical injuries like amputation of limbs and injuries left victims for age long disability, psycho-trauma, war has another legacy that cripples economy, devastates infrastructure facilities, and distracts social institution.
The aftermath is not easy to re-erect situation to the clock back. Most of all the destruction of infrastructure demands staggering amount of foreign currency and time span.
The case is double or triple burden for developing nations like Ethiopia where infrastructure development is crawling. Damages on electricity, road and telecommunications are hazards for conflict areas and it is not an easy task for governments to restore them.
Right after the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA) between the Federal democratic Republic of Ethiopia and Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), Public Utility services are being resumed.
Following the Pretoria’s Peace Agreement, the government of Ethiopia has lunched extensive rehabilitation program to swiftly provide service delivery for war victim areas. In doing so, there are progresses in rebuilding infrastructure facilities and banking services.
Electrification, road, flight, banking and telecom services have been resumed for the north fellow brothers amid challenges that need due concern in a time of high cost of living and unjustified quest of irregular groups that traded their soul to belly.
The government has been putting into practice its responsibilities enacting in the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement.
According to Government Communication Service (GCS), the reconstruction of damaged infrastructure in Tigray is already in a full swing.
The GCS State Minister, Selamawit kassa, briefed journalists on the current affairs of the country a week before indicated that 85 percent of the war-damaged power transmission towers have been maintained and trial activities are being done.
Eight main power stations including the Mekelle power station have been connected with the national power grid so it allows 57 towns and districts to regain power.
The rest 15 percent of war-damaged transmitters will be maintained and gone operational within the next two months, she noted.
Telecom service in several towns has also been restored. The restoration process of telecom service is being implemented in parallel with power restoration. Accordingly, 65 telecom stations have been fixed and have become functional, she said.
As to the State Minister, bank service in some towns has been resumed and about 24 bank branches of Commercial Bank of Ethiopia are going to finalize preparations to restart service.
“Basic and large bridges have been reconstructed. And, four hospitals as well as eight health stations are now serving people having carried out swift reconstruction by the government; moreover, 2,200 health professionals who were out of the job because of the war have also been enrolled to return to work.”
By the same token, the Ethiopian Electricity Utility has announced that electricity has been restored to 50 cities whose electricity infrastructure has been damaged due to the war in the northern part of the country.
It has also been said that 2.8 billion Birr has been damaged in the sector due to the war.
Melaku Taye, Director of Corporate Communications of Ethiopian Electricity Utility, told the Ethiopian Press Agency; “Due to the war in the northern part of the country, there has been a lot of damage to the electricity infrastructure.”
The institution is working hard to provide electricity to the society by rebuilding the destroyed infrastructure and rebuilding the most damaged ones.
He said that through the repairs and renovations carried out so far, more than 50 cities in the Tigray region, including cities in the bordering areas of Amhara and Afar region, have been able to get electricity.
The director pointed out that the damage to the electricity infrastructure was high. According to the study; the amount of direct damage to the electricity infrastructure is about 2.8 billion Birr.
Stating significant damage to transformers, he said that since the infrastructure was in the war zone and had been out of service for a long time, it is necessary to check every single thing, so this work is currently being done.
Melaku said that in connection with the recent peace agreement reached between the government and TPLF, the Ethiopian Electricity Utility has formed an independent technical team at the corporate level and a closely coordinated management team in Afar, Shire, Adwa and Axum lines.
He stated that in a short period of time, electricity infrastructure in many cities is being restored. He pointed out that since recently, cities such as Adwa, Axum and Wukro Mariam have received electricity services that were cut off, and the damage to the line from Shire to Adwa has been repaired and the community is currently getting regular service.
He said that further efforts are being made to strengthen this to provide services to other remaining cities. According to Melaku; the reconstruction of electrical infrastructure is being done in unfavorable landscapes and under unfriendly air condition. Workers are doing tedious and tiring work, including carrying heavy goods for long kilometers in areas that are not suitable for vehicles.
Thus, they are completing the work that could take a long time in a short period of time. Stating that the damage done from Shire to Shiraro is so great that it is no less than doing it like a new one; he explained that the line was being laid as a new one as it could not be repaired and put into operation due to the heavy damage caused by the area.
He added that attention is being paid to ensure that other cities get electricity soon. He appreciated the fact that most of the towns, starting from Mekele, are being connected to the main electricity line and the community’s support for the work.
On the other hand, efforts are underway to rehabilitate internally displaced citizens due to domestic and global circumstances.
Amhara State Disaster Prevention and Food-Security Program Coordination Commission urged stakeholders to exert utmost effort to effectively rehabilitate Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
Staying with Ethiopian Press Agency (EPA), Amhara State Disaster Prevention and Food Security Program Coordination Commission Public Relations Head, Eyasu Mesfin, stated that more than 600 thousand displaced people are still in need of support though over 235 thousand displaced people are reinstated to their residence.
As to him, over 850 thousand people were displaced due to Northern conflict and other related factors. Following the cessation of hostilities agreement, over 235 thousand of the displaced citizenry were returned to their home.
According to Eyasu, as more than 600 thousand were displaced from neighboring States particularly from Oromia and Benishangul-Gumuz, stakeholders should act accordingly understanding that rehabilitation is an essential part of universal health coverage along with promotion of good health, prevention of disease, treatment and palliative care.
According to Eyasu, more than 600 thousand citizens have been displaced following the conflict since 2010, and are still in various circuits in the region.
Besides, about 10 thousand displaced from east Wollega Zone due to the chaos occurred there have come to the region, and many have still faced misery, he added.
He mentioned that the region has been in need of aid for 8.7 million IDPs, meanwhile, the first round was approved for 5.3 million citizens and distributed support to more than 5.6 million citizens for 156 woredas in the second round.
The government has provided displaced citizens from Oromia Region East Wollega Zone with some 400 quintals of wheat and other related assistances, he added.
Unless lasting peace is secured, the threat would be the worst, he said adding that government’s support of food and non-food items is worth appreciating, and NGO’s and the people at large have to exert unreserved effort for lasting peace.
He also pinpointed that despite the candid support of the government and stakeholders, the amount of nutrients ultimately delivered is insufficient.
He further stated that the Ethiopian Red Cross Society and organization for rehabilitation and development in Amhara (ORDA) Ethiopia are showing keen interest to stretch helping hands, and other humanitarian organizations are expected to follow suit to boost the rehabilitation process.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SUNDAY EDITION 25 DECEMBER 2022
