The House of Peoples Representatives of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia yesterday held its 2nd year 6th regular session in the presence of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD). During the session, members of the parliament raised queries about issues related to economic, social and political developments in the country.
The progress of the efforts to ensure peace and stability in the country and Ethiopia’s diplomatic relationships with neighboring countries are also among the issues forwarded by parliamentarians. The Prime Minister responded to the queries raised by parliamentarians based on the government’s performance report for the 2022/23 fiscal year.
While talking in connection with the service and tourism sectors, the Prime Minister underscored that the sectors are showing promising progress subsequent to the effective measures being undertaken by the government. The Premier said that the service sector, including tourism, The Ethiopian Airlines, and other sub sectors, have contributed significantly and the sector is projected to register a 7.5 % growth in the budget year.
Accordingly, the service sector currently covers 39 % of the total national income. The tourism sector is contributing a lot to stimulate the national economy and bring tangible growth. Despite this, there are tremendous activities that should be done in the future.
Creating new job opportunities is among the top priority areas that should be implemented so as to embrace more youths and women in the service sector. There was not a ministry organized for jobs creation and skills in the history of Ethiopia. And, the main purpose for the establishment of the Ministry of Labor and Skills sought to create numerous jobs for the youths and bring about sustainable peace in the country, he said.
The accomplishment of new tourism projects immensely contributes to changing the image of the country. The construction of the newly established tourist destinations is undertaken by the help of other sisterly countries like the governments of China and France. The Science Museum and the Friendship Parks are part of the government’s efforts to generate income, promote citizen’s benefit, and reduce the burden of poverty.
As to him, the Unity Park found inside the National Palace has totally changed and become a tourist attraction through his initiative. Currently, 100 % of the unity park has been developed and has become more attractive. This is possible through the support of the King of UAE, Sheik Ahmed Bin Zaid following the request from Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
The other national palace is being renovated through the support of France’s President Emmanuel Macron support. Moreover, such project’s accomplishment is going well and bearing fruits through changing the view of the African Capital, Addis Ababa.
What is more, the construction of the Gorgora, Wonchi, Entoto, Halala Kela, among other projects, is undertaken by the Dine for Nation initiative and the public support. Thus, such projects are being implemented successfully without touching the budget of the government.
“Currently, the accomplishment of the Gorgora project is worth more than 4 billion Birr. The Wonchi and Halala Kela projects are also accomplished by the same standard. After inauguration, the Halala Kela project is given to the Southern State to administer it. We will also hand over the Gorgora project when accomplished in the coming September to the Amhara State. Oromia State will also administer the Wonchi project after it is fully completed,” he said.
According to him, the international community is also witnessing the effective accomplishment of the tourism projects. The government understands well the value of tourism’s role to the national economy. Tourism has immensely contributed to change of France where Paris is visited by millions of tourists daily.
Currently, the Halala Kela resort’s beds are always busy. The public is visiting the resort daily. Thus, the government never underestimates the value of tourism. According to documents, the government of Ethiopia has made tremendous achievements in the tourism sector. Particularly in its initiatives subbed as ‘Dine for Sheger’ and ‘Dine for Nation’ impressive success is registered.
The construction of three projects being underway at Wonchi, Gorgora and Koysha, respectively, in Oromia, Amhara and Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples (SNNPs) states under ‘Dine for Nation’ initiative are bearing fruits. The projects apart from significantly stimulating Ethiopia’s tourism activity, enabling citizens to benefit more from the sector through generating substantial income, they are expanding the nation’s tourism sector and are changing the image of the country.
The newly inaugurated resort, the Halala Kela Resort, which is a part of Premier’s ‘Dine for Ethiopia’ initiative and a component of the Koysha cluster, is the one in this regard. The Halala Kela Resort is equipped with recreational facilities including spas, swimming pools and playground equipment. This wonderful tourist destination after being fully completed handed over to South Western Ethiopia State.
While launching the first phase of the Halala Kella cluster of the Koysha National Project on 21 February 2021, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed described the site as a captivating place with breathtaking scenery and dynamic history and culture. As FBC reported, the Halala Kela cluster, which constitutes the larger Koysha project, was initiated to capitalize on the natural endowments of the area so as to expand greenery attraction sites across the nation.
Speaking in relation to the resort, the Prime Minister once said that the Halala Kela, an attraction site in Dauro Zone, is an ideal place to take a breath and open one’s mind to many activities. He said Dauro is one of the tranquil places with a peaceful environment. “Lose no time to visit such a spectacular site”, he underscored.
The PM also Abiy encourages visitors to come and pay a visit to Halala Kela to take a rest, contemplate and write by seeing things from new perspectives. Dawro is a zone in the South West Region of Ethiopia located at about 500km southwest of Addis Ababa and 319 km of Hawasa, the capital of the Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples State.
BY TEWODROS KASSA
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD 7 JULY 2023
