A few months ago, several demolishing activities in the heart of Addis Ababa were drawing the attention of many local and international communities. The activities were the starting chapters of the City’s Corridor Development Project. In the beginning, so much has been said and few critics were optimistic about it as so many remained bitter. Most critics, who live abroad, have been the first to hurl many negative comments such as the project targeted poor residents of the city and they were never willing to accept the fact that appropriate replacements, for those whose homes were demolished, were arranged.
Negative views and judgments about such development projects have been a growing culture for many local politicians and famous Ethiopians who live abroad. This culture, which was born from a seemingly reasonable suspicion, has grown into a sardonic criticism, as these people developed the habit of opposing everything that comes from the government’s side. For instance, critics from abroad repeatedly aired that the demolishing activities were undertaken without the knowledge of residents. According to Deputy City Mayor Janttrar Abay, discussions have been undertaken with residents at every level concerning the projects, even from the time the project design was prepared.
Even though there were critics who expressed reasonable concerns about priorities, those who create blemishing stories out of the blue were many. Concerning this, Prime Minster Abiy Ahmed had already foretold such waves of criticism would happen. On the second assessment meeting about the progress of the project with officials, who were leading the project task force, the premier said too much bad criticisms were expected. “But we cannot deliver our promise of making Addis Ababa a flower, as its name depicts unless we go boldly and aggressively”, he added.
Therefore, the Federal Government and the City Administration have to go ahead and fight against widespread ill-placed criticisms and boldly proceed with the development project. As the relocation of residents went in line with the construction of the project, critics resorted to the criticism poor people were displaced and rich elites of certain ethnic groups were likely to take over the lands in Piasa, the ancient part of the city and the major site, where the development project is taking place. While City Mayor Adanech Abiebie, the prominent figure, who always stands on the front line with the Premier, for such development projects, explained dilapidated buildings would be renovated without losing their early cultural and historical touches. But always there were some excuses for doom sayers to say something bad like the loss of cultural and historical heritages.
Such negative insights, which contributed to the spawning of infectious criticism, could have resulted from the lack of understanding and taste. As to Daniel Mendelsohn, good judgment equals knowledge plus taste. Unfortunately, many Ethiopian politicians and social media activists living abroad prefer to disapprove of any positive aspects of the many development projects. They fall prey to the culture of scornful criticism which develops easily. Abiy’s Social Affairs Advisor Daniel Kibret recently said the Premier and his administration are striving to hit the last nail on the coffin of old-fashioned and fictitious culture ceding place to the radical ones slowly but surely. This could be through injecting new developmental tastes and by creating a new working culture as well as national affiliation.
When the project sees the day of light, residents who have been cooperative in all ways and means for the progress of the project will have the taste of a new state-of-the-art city life. The project comprises multiple facilities, such as wide asphalt and pedestrian walks, bicycle lines, smart parking lots, food courts, etc., according to Adanech.
There proves to be ample proofs as the construction of the City Corridor Development Project proceeds apace day and night and when it approaches its completion. Part of the project, which extends from Arat Kilo Square to Piasa, already seems to be in its consummation stage of success. Buildings are renewed, painted with white and grey, and brightened with hot yellow lights. Wide asphalts and pedestrian walks, bike lanes, and green public areas are built. As a result, so many residents are pouring out down the new streets every night for a walk and fresh air. Some are also giving their testimony about the positive aspects of the project.
According to Yehuwalashet Shiferaw, whose shop was deconstructed for the sake of the corridor development project, constructing wide asphalts and pedestrian walks is very significant. He said, “The outcome of the construction work is very pleasant, and I have no grievance about the deconstruction of my shop. We used to walk brushing sides with vehicles piercing the razor-thin road. I am happy to witness such a development project being realized in my Country in such a short period”.
Million Abera is a young resident of Addis. He said there was a great deal of confusion during the deconstruction phase of the project, adding that, there was not much awareness about the plan of such a project. “What we have been listening to from social platforms was very disturbing and we didn’t pay much attention to what the government said. I was shocked when I heard many people were displaced and reduced to homelessness because of the project. As a result, I have taken sides with the contentious and criticized the government for such a move. But lately, I have learned that the dislocated people have gained better homes than the previous ones. Now, I’m also witnessing how the renovation of the buildings in Arat Kilo and Piasa is going on. Moreover I am admiring the completion process of the corridor. It is enjoyable”.
Elias Abebe works at the Embassy of Switzerland, located around the old Airport in Kolfe Keraneo, a part of the city. He said “Even if my workplace is a bit far, I walked all the way to Piasa and Arat Kilo to feast my eye balls on the progress of the project. What I witnessed is very astonishing and made me wonder whether I knew the place, where I am standing, in the past.”
Young couples, family members across the age brackets, bickers, and people from all walks of life are enjoying the nights on this renewed block of the city, which is expected to shine brighter when the project sees completion. From the excitement and comfort that wash over the people on the streets, one can tell Addis Ababa is outgrowing the culture of lame criticism in one side and also welcoming a state-of-the-art city standard on the other side.
BY NAOL GIRMA
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 8 JUNE 2024
