BY ESSEYE MENGISTE
ADDIS ABABA– The Harari Culture, Heritage, and Tourism Bureau (HCHTB) revealed a plan to secure one billion Birr from the “Dine for Jugol” fundraising program that aims to preserve the well-known Jugol wall.
The Bureau Head Tewelda Abdasho told the Ethiopian Press Agency (EPA) that the bureau planned to collect the sum from Ethiopians living at home in the Diaspora and friends of Harar. The state plans to generate the one billon Birr from SMS and other income generating schemes.
Apart from the conservation of the world-famous attraction site, the fundraising program has been designed to finance other projects in Hariri State. Accordingly, the construction of roads, sewerage, green development, and park expansion are part of Dine for Jugol.
Tewelda further stated that the committee was established to supervise activities in the preservation and protection of the heritage in terms of infrastructure, procedures, and legal framework.
“To pass the iconic Jugol Wall for the future generation, meticulous jobs are being carried out by various stakeholders and the introduction of the fundraising program showcases the state government’s commitment in this regard.”
Noting the Dine for Jugol lasts for two more years, he indicated that as part of the fundraising program, other activities including the restoration of historical houses, fence walls, and other heritages will be carried out while preserving their original beauty.
In the last six months, every sector office in Harar has taken the initiative and covered over 6,000 square meters of land with grass
and executed rigorous measures to control illegal activities around the wall. Moreover, continuous awareness creation activities are undertaken to enhance the public’s sense of ownership of the site and commendable results were gained, the bureau head concluded.
Harar is home to ancient cultural, religious, and artistic beauty, which has made the town a major tourist destination.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 11 FEBRUARY 2023
