From: Berhane Habtemariam (Berhane.Habtemariam@gmx.de)
Date: Thu Dec 17 2009 - 17:48:10 EST
Significant Development Plans Mapped Out For 2010 In All Sectors: President
Isaias
Asmara, 17 December 2009 - President Isaias Afwerki said that significant
plans along with the necessary budget have been mapped out for 2010 in all
sectors with a view to providing added impetus to the national development
drive through rebuffing any and all threats.
The President made the remarks at the opening session of the Eritrean
Cabinet of Ministers that got underway today at the Denden Hall here in the
capital. In the 3-year Road-Map he presented at the meeting as regards
national development program set for implementation beginning 2010 involving
economic, social, political and security domains, he indicated that the
biggest budget has been allocated for the task of achieving food security.
Irrespective of the negative consequences resulting from the inadequate
harvest in 2009, there would exist no hunger taking into account the
available national reserves, President Isaias asserted. The President
further explained that improved distribution and control mechanisms would be
applied towards ensuring economic stability and confidence.
Stating that enhanced efforts would be made in the coming year towards
putting in place agricultural infrastructure facilities, introducing modern
machineries and promoting soil and water conservation activities in a bid to
avoid dependence on rainfall, he outlined the programs envisaged for
implementation focusing on the development of Agro-industrial plants and
boosting animals resources and products. President Isaias went on to say
that concertedhttp://www.shabait3.com/images/stories/dec-17-cabinet1.jpg
action is being taken to expand the supply of fish products in all parts of
the country, in addition to raising the export of fisheries products on the
basis of internal capacity and the partnership of foreign companies.
Extensive salt works facilities would also be put in place in 2010 so as to
boost salt export, he elaborated.
Regarding road construction programs, President Isaias stated that top
priority would be given to the strategic roads of
Massawa-Asmara-Mensurea-Agordat, Agordat-Sawa-Girmaika and Massawa-Karora.
Besides, there are plans to launch the construction of railway running from
Asmara to Keren and Agordat, he added. Moreover, the President gave
extensive briefings as regards the construction of water diversion schemes
and agricultural infrastructures in both the eastern and western lowlands,
as well as residential housing complexes in different corners of the
country. Stressing that the availability of various building materials is a
prerequisite in this regard, he indicated that the cement factors due to go
operational by 2010 is expected to provide major impetus to all-round
construction undertakings.
As regards the energy and mining sector, President Isaias said that
strategic programs aimed at enhancing the storage capacity of fuel and gas
would be put in to effect through streamlining the mechanisms already in
place towards ensuring economical and judicious utilization of fuel. He
further pointed out that there are plans to upgrade the provision of
electricity supplyhttp://www.shabait3.com/images/stories/dec17-cabinet3.jpg
in Bisha, Afhimbol, Sawa, the Dahlak Islands, Assab, Edie, Ti'o and Gelalo,
among others. The President also gave briefings on the steps that need to
be taken to handle the mining projects, which are increasingly attracting
investors, in a manner that benefit the people and the nation.
He outlined in detail the work programs drawn up towards reinforcing the
transport sector through strengthening public transport service,
organizational capacity of freight service, improving marine and port
services by purchasing additional ships, besides bringing about the
necessary change in the operation of the airlines and expanding telephone
and related communication services. Furthermore, President Isaias
highlighted the tasks envisaged for the development of the tourism service
both in terms of scope and quality.
Concerning water resources and the environment, the President said that
endeavors would be stepped up towards streamlining the modalities of use of
land plots for agricultural and other purposes, as well as the
implementation of potable water supply projects and the construction of
water storage infrastructure. Due attention would also be given to the task
of properly preserving forest, wildlife, biodiversity and other natural
resources, he explained.
In connection with trade and industrial activities, President Isaias pointed
out that as part of efforts to achieve food security, the required budget
has been allocated towards enabling the existing industrial plants operate
in full capacity. Besides, study has been undertaken to establish metal and
plastic factories which would play major role in backing up development
programs. Assessing the effectiveness of the policies pursued to promote
fair trading activities in a manner that stabilizes prices and meets the
basic needs of the public, he outlined the future action plan in this
regard.
As regards the provision of social services, he noted the commendable
achievements registered in efforts to expand basic health service
nationwide, and noted the need for stepped-up endeavor to score still more
gratifying outcome. The President equally highlighted the programs charted
to promote the development of education, including the upgrading of the
skill and living standard of teachers.
http://www.shabait3.com/images/stories/dec17-cabinet2.jpg
He went on to say that the tasks undertaken at substantial expenditure in
supporting families of fallen heroes, disabled persons and needy nationals
are not to be viewed lightly as far as alleviating social problems are
concerned. In this connection, the President explained that vigorous efforts
would continue towards enabling needy citizens become self-supporting.
Moreover, President Isaias shed light on the tasks accomplished and the
envisaged ones in strengthening the administration of justice, defense
capability, police and security matters, as well as reorganizing the
Ministry of Local Government. He further gave briefings on plans mapped out
to reinforce media and diplomatic activities. Reiterating that there would
exist no budget constraints for the implementation of all the envisaged
action programs, he indicated that a national task force would adopt
decision on the proposals to be put forth by all the ministries regarding
the restructuring and organization, as well as deployment of manpower.
President Isaias underlined that the nation continues to register impressive
progress in diverse domains irrespective of overt and covert acts of
hostility and conspiracy on the part of external quarters. In this respect,
he declared: "We stand on firm ground at this juncture as the nation
continues to march forward in the spheres of reliable socio-economic
development as well as potent security and defense capability."
Following deliberations on the Road-Map President Isaias presented as
regards national development program, the Ministerial Cabinet conducted
discussion on the development programs so far accomplished and those in the
process of implementation.
The meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers would continue tomorrow.
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