Words that have been used
to describe the late Honorable Dr. Senedu Gebru include Resistance
fighter, philanthropist, educator, feminist, patriot, author, teacher
and mother. History may
remember her foremost as the first woman elected to Parliament, but her
contributions to this nation were so many and varied, she
could rightly be considered Ethiopia’s Renaissance Woman of the 20th
century.
Although it might seem like more Ethiopians from abroad are moving back to Ethiopia than ever before, it is also true that the much greater outflow of Ethiopians leaving the country in search of better opportunity abroad, continues unabated.
Written by Brian Burrell - Horizon Ethiopia Staff Writer
Tuesday, 25 November 2008
At press time the public Ethiopian Railway Corporation was evaluating bids for an engineering procurement construction tender to erect a passenger rail service for Addis hoping to alleviate some of the stress on the city’s crowded roads. It is the first of its two ambitious projects that eventually hope to include a 5,000km national cargo network.
The line will have its epicenter meeting around the historical Ethiopia-Djibouti Railway Enterprise headquarters at Legehare. The north-south portion of the “T” shaped network will extend from Shero Meda to the Akaki roundabout hitting areas such as Piazza and Merkato, while the east-west segment will run from the Ayat roundabout to Jimma Ber at the western terminal after passing through Meskel Square. However, exact locations will be chosen after the project is awarded as the winner is expected to procure financing which may involve modifications in routes.
The massive project intending to bring a new commuter option to Addis is being spearheaded by Dr. Getachew Betru, general manager of the corporation, who sees huge gains for the city.
Long, Uncertain Journey
The project is by no means the first talk of bringing modern rail service after neglect of its existing, dilapidated 781km network begun over a century ago. Although numerous studies, recommendations and interested businesses have eyed rail projects previously, to date no one has succeeded in putting plans into practice. Managing Director Getachew himself is now predominately known to the public for involvement in the “Transport 2000’s” visions of a highly publicized light rail network from Addis to Nazaret that never reached fruition. While the potential benefits of a passenger train service in Addis and a national cargo transport system in a country with such low road coverage are apparent, the cost effectiveness is debatable.
The first-phase passenger service seems viable though difficult in an overcrowded metropolis. However, this will be an interesting test to gauge if the Railway Corporation is up to the second task of a national cargo network. With an existing line consisting of a narrow gauge track (incapable of supporting the profitable large capacity trains of today) run by a feeble corporation with public debts roughly equaling its revenues on the snail-paced service between Dire Dawa and Djibouti, Ethiopia is ambitiously planning to start from scratch.
The efficient European trains that race across the continent and India’s most extensive coverage in the world are by and large upgrades of existing networks often erected when labor practices falling short of today’s standards of fairness allowed low costs. But with a rapidly expanding external sector and potential to explore usage of renewable energy sources, there just might be an opportunity to pioneer something internationally renowned.
Optimistic Beginning
For now, the Railway Corporation’s concentration on the city passenger service seems a safer bet as examples are prevalent of newly constructed modern trains shooting through metropolises in the developed and developing world. An official at the corporation told ACX that Hong Kong’s light rail system was looked on as a good example of what could be done. Albeit the huge logistical considerations to implement the project that was once a road construction task under the Addis Ababa City Roads Authority (AACRA) in an unplanned city, the capital could use a transportation face lift.
I've been looking for a man named Brian Burrell who used to work for the trains in Los Angeles about 20 years ago. We were good friends. I lived in Venice, and he came to my house and we talked about our mutual interest in trains. He also used to attend classic car conventions in Orange County.
If this is not this Brian Burrell, then I apologize. If it is, hit me up, man!
Meti Yilma is a radio show host, poet, writer, MC, one time tv
personality and a number of other things besides. Including, a top 4 finisher in 2006's Survivor Africa.
Sehin Teferra
is a freelance trainer and consultant with an academic background in
international development and gender equity. She has written since her teens, and invites your comments and
thoughts on her observations.
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There is no question that there is a lot of agricultural investment occurring in Ethiopia right now. The question is how much of that is being initiated by Ethiopians?
Despite a global downturn in real estate prices, it seemed like Ethiopia's market was impervious to it all. But there are signs which point to an inevitable downturn in the near future. Just how far down prices will go is anybody's guess.
After emigrating abroad, going to school and then opening a successful business in London, it only took a vacation to Tewodros Tadesse's hometown of Hawassa to convince him to leave everything behind and move back once and for all.
ESAI celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. Horizon Ethiopia would like to congratulate them on their achievements through the years and wishes them another decade and more of continued success.
If this is not this Brian Burrell, then I apologize. If it is, hit me up, man!