Regular meeting of Eritrean Cabinet of Ministers underway
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jpgAsmara, 28 September 2012 – The regular meeting of the Cabinet of
Ministers got underway today.
In its first agenda, the meeting held deliberations on the strategic plan
regarding national development programs and their progress for 2013. It
conducted detailed discussion on the programs mapped out concerning
agriculture, infrastructure, investment, food security, land and water
policies, sufficient energy supply, education, health, labor and human
welfare, as well as mounting resistance on the diplomatic, public and media
fronts, among others.
Moreover, the Ministerial Cabinet meeting conducted in-depth discussion
pertaining to strategic fiscal policies, investments in various domains and
action programs charted with a view to drawing up and controlling fiscal
policies, in addition to the work of banks and the service they provide.
As regards efforts to bring about lasting solution to the housing issue, the
meeting discussed in detail the task of constructing reliable residential
complexes, besides facilities in the domains of health, education and
sports, among others.
It further exchanged views concerning policy review as regards land, water
and environment, controlling land use policy vis-à-vis the enforcement and
handling of the pertinent laws, alongside ensuring human resource
development and institutional capacity.
The Ministerial Cabinet also held discussion concerning national development
within the context of sectoral strategy, implementation follow-up regarding
the integration of programs and projects, besides addressing the task of
international cooperation at the national and sectoral level.
After listening to reports by various Ministries, the meeting dealt with
agricultural development programs. Accordingly, it reviewed on-going action
programs and future prospects as regards boosting agricultural production
both in quality and quantity, preservation of indigenous crops, reinforcing
research activities, and thereby identify select crops that contribute to
bumper harvest.
In the domain of land, water and environment, the Cabinet of Ministers
conducted extensive discussion on control and follow-up of land
distribution, the handling of commercial farmland, streamlining of documents
pertaining to cadastral land registration, reassessment of land use, in
addition to endeavors exerted towards ensuring quality of potable water
supply and compiling relevant data on underground water resources.
Furthermore, the meeting conducted in-depth discussion on the report
presented focusing on the identification of illegal land sale.
In connection with food security programs, the Cabinet of Ministers noted
the tasks undertaken in the marine sector. In this connection, it reviewed
research activities conducted concerning the management of the nation’s
territorial waters, the policy and regulations regarding the issuance of
fishing permits, implementation of directives, especially that of raising
the awareness of stakeholders as regards the country’s laws and regulations
dealing with the harnessing of marine resources.
The meeting took note of the need to reinforce national capacity towards
effectively tackling shortcomings in developing the marine sector. It also
discussed the construction of new roads and those under renovation, as well
as the construction of bridges, dams, water diversion schemes and the like.
Likewise, the Ministerial Cabinet assessed the work of the Ministry of
Public Works and stressed the continuation of construction activities and
implementation of projects in different parts of the country, in addition to
the expansion and renovation of small and major ports, as well as design
follow-up of building complexes.
Concerning the Energy and Mining sector, the meeting discussed the programs
and strategies charted to ensure energy supply. Moreover, the Ministerial
Cabinet, with regard to transport and communications, conducted extensive
discussion on the management of road transport and improvement of freight
duties in connection with air and marine transport, as well as the programs
drawn up to develop the sector.
The Ministerial Cabinet meeting will continue tomorrow.
Received on Fri Sep 28 2012 - 22:57:22 EDT
