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From: samuel Igbu (ypfdjbc@gmail.com)
Date: Sat Apr 09 2011 - 08:03:07 EDT
“It is a universal fact that those who live in misery could aspire to get
rid of poverty on their own. What is required is thus creating an
enabling environment other than delivering aid handouts,” reads a brochure
on a ground fl oor of a glamorous hall in Massawa early morning of March 3,
Saturday..
Soon tens of higher offi cials including ministers, high ranking military
offi cers and guests of honor fl ocked around the Massawa Housing Complex
heading their way to the majestic hall of the
administration of Northern Red Sea Region until they have finally reserved
their seats in the first floor of the cool breathtaking vast room.
“Offffffffff,” some would sigh now and again --
the hot whether accompanied by the scorching morning sun had exhausted them
prior to their arrival in the air conditioned and hence refreshing hall.
Soon I would know that the green shining brochure that I picked up from the
ground
was one but slipped out from a bundle of brochures aimed at for promotion of
the saving and micro credit program of the Ministry of National Development.
Soon the attendants would receive one brochure each, and
the moderator would introduce us with the time table of the two day program
of the symposium. He would welcome the guests in the name of the ministry
and would request the minister to open up
the symposium prepared on the occasion of the 20th independence anniversary.
In no time Minister of National Development sits high on a stage behind the
table and facing
at a silent audience tuned up for a massage of thanks and appreciation, also
to hear the success story of national development program of the past couple
of decades; the independence years,
In a little while, the minister enumerated the considerable achievements
registered in the past few years, more emphasis he would give on the success
of his newly established ministry of the young nation – just 20 years
old. According to the minister, Dr. Ghiorgis Teklemichael., the ministry has
recorded a success to met the aspiration and dream of the people of Eritrea.
This fact was made public only when the
minister himself presented a paper of one and half hour followed by four
other notable men from the same ministry. Hence, the paper presented by
Minster Ghiorgis broke the eyes of the audience
The paper had of particular interest as it entertained issues that deal with
the past and present development programs of the country. He presented it
under the idea of the country’s economic
policy and strategy that is based on the national dreams of the Eritrean
People Liberation Front and or the vision of the government of Eritrea,
creating a country of peace, prosperity and justice. His paper appeared to
have had of more signifi cance as it drew the
attention of the early morning ears. First, he detailed the objectives and
significance of the ministry: Although the ministry is relatively new, only
seven years old, he said, the ministry plays a key role in making the
national objectives a success. So far, the ministry has
dedicated itself in the provision of sectors with a coordinated national
development strategy of the country. Accordingly, the ministry has made sure
of an objective research on various sectors in Eritrea based on the formula
of analysis and harmonization procedures. In addition, he said that the
ministry has been gathering statistical information and encouraging sectors
to work based on a harmonized strategic plan. It also provides sectors with
the practical support on the means of production, distribution, and
consumption of resource. More importantly, apart from encouraging savings
and investment, the ministry makes the management audit and policy review of
the projects across the country based on efficiency and effectiveness. In an
attempt to encourage
investors, the ministry employed a sector study and identified the potential
investment opportunities in the country. So far, investment opportunities
have been recognized in Eritrea in aqua culture, tourism,
mining and energy, housing projects and basic infrastructures, transport and
communication, banks and other financial institutions. Also he discussed the
significance of foreign aid, and loan to reinforce
the war battered economy of the country on condition of clear standards.
According to him the country has developed from zero economy in time of
independence. Yet again, the subsequent war against the invasion of the TPLF
regime had a considerable
challenge on the country’s economy and development programs, and to improve
the socio-economic state of affairs of the citizens settled on remote areas
of the country. Hence, there is no doubt that Eritrea does not deny foreign
aid to meet its
socio-economic development. The ministry thus looks for foreign assistance,
to reinforce the country’s reconstruction program based on clear standards,
ownership of its
programs.The minister also presented about the economic policy of the
government. Hence, based on the Eritrean Charter, economic policy of the
country follows a mixed economic system—command, yet equally, it encourages
private
sectors. Hence the minister has the belief that private and public sectors
should exist side by side as one complements the other. The government of
Eritrea, hence, has established the necessary socioeconomic infrastructure
that suits
both the government economic objectives and private interests by taxation,
tariffs, loans, subsidies, and foreign exchange allocation
means. The paper presented by the General Director of the ministry
galvanizes the idea of the minister. Mr. Gebremichael Menghistu concurs with
the idea that the war devastated
economy of the young nation needs a rapid economic recovery policy. He,
therefore, discussed the features of the long term development programs in
order to cure the socio-economic disaster the country suffered both in the
war for independence and
the war against the invasion of the TPLF regime for that reason, he
discussed that program of the Ministry of National Development to speed up
the establishment of a conducive atmosphere for the
long-term development strategy of the country. So far, according to Mr.
Gebremichael, a success has been registered. The ministry has allocated a
cash of 245 million dollars in a bid to enhance the country’s agricultural
sector,
infrastructure, private sector recovery program, social security and others.
The paper by Mr. Kidane Tsige, Director General within the ministry
specifically underlines on community development, and savings and micro
credit program
across the country. He discussed the initiatives and achievements of the
government of Eritrea ever since the start of the zero economic situation of
the country – devastated infrastructure. To meet the point, the government
has tirelessly worked to normalize the
life of the Eritrean people amid a variety of challenges, Moreover,
according to Mr. Kidane the government has established a conducive ground
for the prime objectives of the rehabilitation and recovery
program to revitalize and enforce the preexisting paralyzed sectors of
agriculture and industry, strategic infrastructures, the recovery of
community based socio-economic institutions, strengthening and establishing
management institutions that could fi t the
national economy.
Sincerely
*YPFDJ British Columbia Chapter*
YPFDJ Goal and Purpose
- Our goal is to build a strong, conscious and patriotic youth movement.
Our purpose is:
- To raise the awareness and level of organisation of Eritrean youth to
serve our nation
- To reassert the identity, patriotism and unity of Eritrean youth
- To promote the participation of Eritrean Youth in the national
reconstruction of Eritrea as well as guarding the sovereignty of Eritrea
- To enhance the position and influence of Eritrean Youth in their
respective countries of residence.
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