BY BETELHEM BEDLU
ADDIS ABABA – Ethiopia and Japan signed on Friday three grant agreements worth 1.3 Birr (25.4 million USD) to finance the construction of water supply facilities in Oromia and Amhara states and fertilizers provision.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Finance State Minister Semereta Sewasew stated that the water supply facilities would contribute towards improving the livelihoods of the targeted communities and averting waterborne diseases. The facilities will also cut short the labor and time that would exert in fetching water.
It was learned that over one billion Birr (19.2 million USD) was allotted to the water supply project that will benefit six small towns in the East Shewa and Arsi zones of the Oromia State. Noting many of these towns lack sufficient water supply, the Japanese Ambassador to Ethiopia, Ito Takako, highlighted in her remark that the project will benefit 47,000 citizens.
Japan also granted an additional 75.3 million Birr (1.4 million USD) to the completion of a water project in Bahir Dar city of the Amhara State. Delayed by lack of finance and other setbacks, the project is expected to provide water for over 170,000 residents.
In this regard, Semereta extended appreciation to the Japanese government’s decision to fill the budget gap that occurred in the implementation of the Bahir Dar Water Supply Project. The third agreement is worth approximately 252.9 million Birr (4.7 million USD) destined for the provision of much-needed fertilizers to Ethiopian farmers.
Regarding the grant, the state minister indicated that the price of fertilizers in the global market has increased by more than 100 percent in the last three years. The soaring price is caused by multiple factors including the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war which immensely disrupted the supply chain.
“The project agreement would help the agriculture sector by providing fertilizer to the areas in need.” For his part, Ambassador Ito said that the project is one of the initiatives that translate Japan’s commitment into action by supporting efficient crop production and securing a stable food supply.
Besides strengthening ties between the two countries, the grant will benefit social and economic development in Ethiopia and bring health and well-being to the people across the country, he remarked. The agreement was signed in a ceremony held at the Ministry of Finance.
The Ethiopian Herald March 12/ 2023
