• Plants his 100th seedling
• Honors Dr. Belay Abegaz with gold medal
ADDIS ABABA – Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed last Saturday told Dessie residents to turn deaf ears to smear campaigns and rumors circulating on social media.
Responding to questions that one ethnic group is targeted in the recent forced evictions of residents in the special Zone of Oromia and whether there is dominance of Oromos in state offices or not, he said both are sheer lies that aim to serve enemy quarters’ interest – destabilizing the country.
More than 1.8 million people have so far returned to their areas of origin and all displaced community members will return to their villages soon, the Prime Minister said while responding to question regarding displacement. The Premier also stressed the need to strengthen unity to deal with the current socio, economic and political problems.
Regarding question to infrastructure, he said out of the 387 billion Birr total federal budget for the upcoming fiscal year, 147 billion has been allocated for states apart from 46 billion Birr for the development of infrastructural facilities across the nation.
Winding up the discussion, the Prime Minister called on the people of Wollo to seize their distinct culture of unison as an opportunity to resolve difference among various community members.
It was learnt, the residents also raised questions regarding unemployment, rule of law, problems of child trafficking and cause of Wollo tertiary hospital project delay. Deputy Prime Minister Demeke Mekonnen and Chief Administrator of the Amhara state, Dr Ambachew Mekonnen were presented during the discussion.
Early on Sunday Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed took part in cleaning Black Lion Hospital and planting seedlings in the compound. He planted his 100 seedlings there. Thereafter, he also visited with the Federal Police Anti-Terrorism and Ministry of Education ICT center teams in their respective offices as they were cleaning and planting.
Sunday afternoon, the PM together with First Lady Zinash Tayachew participated in an 800 seedlings planting activity organized by the Office of the First Lady in the CMC area, in the presence of Deputy Mayor Takele Uma.
On the same day, the Premier commended the work of Dr. Belay Abegaz and awarded him for his dedicated contribution to society as a pediatric cardiologist and his work through the Cardiac Center of Ethiopia, which celebrated its 30th year of service Sunday.
The Ethiopian Herald, June 18/2019
BY STAFF REPORTER
