webmaster
© Copyright DEHAI-Eritrea OnLine, 1993-2011
All rights reserved
From: Berhane Habtemariam (Berhane.Habtemariam@gmx.de)
Date: Tue Mar 08 2011 - 15:21:47 EST
<http://www.shabait.com/articles/q-a-a/4864-ministry-of-transport-and-commun
ications-symposium-reviewing-work-accomplishments-and-challenges> Ministry
Of Transport And Communications Symposium: Reviewing Work Accomplishments
And Challenges
Friday, 04 March 2011 09:44 | Written by Samrawit Efrem |
<http://www.shabait.com/articles/q-a-a/4864-ministry-of-transport-and-commun
ications-symposium-reviewing-work-accomplishments-and-challenges?format=pdf>
PDF
<http://www.shabait.com/articles/q-a-a/4864-ministry-of-transport-and-commun
ications-symposium-reviewing-work-accomplishments-and-challenges?tmpl=compon
ent&print=1&layout=default&page=> Print
<http://www.shabait.com/component/mailto/?tmpl=component&link=aHR0cDovL3d3dy
5zaGFiYWl0LmNvbS9hcnRpY2xlcy9xLWEtYS80ODY0LW1pbmlzdHJ5LW9mLXRyYW5zcG9ydC1hbm
QtY29tbXVuaWNhdGlvbnMtc3ltcG9zaXVtLXJldmlld2luZy13b3JrLWFjY29tcGxpc2htZW50cy
1hbmQtY2hhbGxlbmdlcw%3D%3D> E-mail
http://www.shabait.com/images/stories/Pictures/-----------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------min-of-transport.jpgThe Ministry of Transport
and Communications symposium was opened in Mendefera on March 2 and will
conclude today. The symposium is aimed at evaluating the work
accomplishments of the Ministry in the post independence years. Mr.
Woldemichael Abraha, the Minister of Transport and Communications conducted
an interview with ERI-TV in connection with the symposium. Excerpts follow:
Q: Let us start with the general vision of the Ministry?
It is a service rendering institution of land, sea and air transport, as
well as all kinds of communication services. The main objective of the
Ministry is to provide efficient, competitive, comfortable and reliable
transport and communications services throughout the country. Establishing
modern and sophisticated transport and communications facilities is vital to
push forward the nation's development activities, and attain the ultimate
set goals.
Q: What can be said of the 20 years journey of the Ministry?
It is difficult to list the work accomplishment of the Ministry in detail.
After independence, the construction and reconstruction process of the
war-ravaged infrastructure facilities of transport and communications had to
start from the bottom. Roads connecting big and small cities and towns as
well as remote areas have been renovated and constructed. Building roads is
a basic necessity for nationals to improve their living standards and speed
up other spheres development activities. Besides, railway and marine
transport services were revitalized and it could be assessed that
satisfactory tasks were carried out considering the time frame. The
reconstruction of railway through internal capacity attests to the
Government's principle of self-reliance.
Q: What about communications services?
In communications service also, expanding and modernizing efforts have shown
rapid growth. In the early post-independence period, the infrastructure and
equipments of communications were very much damaged and it was challenging
to renovate them. The advancement of communications, particularly in
telephone services began to grow from 2003 onwards, after the Eritrean
Telecommunication Service was founded. Mobile telephone service was
introduced in 2004 and since then its progress has been dynamic. Telephone
lines were renovated and old ones were replaced with new lines. Moreover,
the installation of marine-based fiber optics this year is expected to
further upgrade communication services especially internet. As regards to
postal services, it was expanded to sub-zones and its service has improved
with the introduction of computerized work procedure.
Q: What can you tell us about the Eritrean Civil Aviation's activities?
Airports in Asmara and Assab had underdeveloped infrastructure before
independence. Thus, it was necessary to invest on renovating and
constructing new airports. Asmara International Airport was renovated and
modern equipments were introduced to ensure the security of transportation.
Besides, Massawa International Airport, which was constructed in recent
years, is expected to start operation this year. Sawa airport was also
build in the post-independence period. The first phase of this department's
development includes the rising of civil aviation services and establishment
of Eritrean Airlines from 1991-2004. During this period the experience of
department was further enriched. Along this, NassAir began rendering
services which played great role for Eritrean nationals to connect with the
Homeland. The second phase 2005-2010 was a transitional time to the current
stage. Despite of so many challenges, the civil aviation services was able
to function on regular basis. In this third phase, NassAir and Eritrean
Airlines have been merged together and this would help bring about better
outcome. In general, the department would exert utmost efforts to achieve
more gratifying results.
Q: As you have mentioned, the vision of the Ministry is to create
competitive transport and communication services. What is your opinion of
the progress achieved so far in comparison to other countries?
We can only compare the current reached development with countries that have
similar capacity with us. Within the past 20 years, the work accomplished
was enormous though the border conflict and ensuing challenges have created
a setback. The impressive achievement registered demonstrates the strenuous
work being carried out to translate this vision on the ground. We would
further make intensive efforts to provide competitive and reliable services.
Comparing the stage we have reached now within such a time frame and limited
resource, we can say that we have progressed greatly.
Q: Explain to us the efforts undertaken to upgrade human resources in this
sector?
Each sector is engaged in providing skill-upgrading courses to promote its
manpower. New graduates assigned to work in the sector receive training and
are encouraged to promote their profession in all possible ways. ERI-TEL
could be cited as an example for its exertion in nurturing skilled youths.
Thank You!
`e
----[This List to be used for Eritrea Related News Only]----