The Ethiopian Customs Authority should improve its operational systems and raise its human power capacity so as to be able to render efficient services, says the Public Accounts Standing Committee of the House of Peoples' Representatives. This came here on Monday during a parliamentary probing into the operations of the authority based on a relevant report submitted in 2004 by the Federal General Auditor.

Standing Committee Chairman Mesfin Mengistu said it was acknowledged that the authority should extend improved administrative and accounts systems as well as better way of handling confiscated property. According to ENA, the findings of the audits showed gaps in customs related procedures at some of the branch offices of the authority including more than one million birr not collected in tax and duty as should have been. There have also been malpractices at some branches in terms of document processing, claims settlements and property handling, he indicated. The authority during the hearing said there have been measures taken to redress setbacks in its operations.

Company launches 108mln birr floriculture development

Beauty Green Floriculture Production, a private company, launched floriculture development in Gedbano Gutazer Welene Woreda, Guraghe Zone of South Ethiopia Peoples' state. Company's General Manager, Tesfaye Gudisa told ENA the floriculture development began last July on 20,000 hectares of land. The first trial production which was sent in 740 boxes to Germany during the current month got acceptance, he said. Currently, demands are coming from the Netherlands, Japan and Middle East Countries, he added. The company created jobs to 187 persons. Some 80 percent of the total employees are women.

Sugar factory, company sign 93mln birr expansion project agreement

Wonji Shoa Sugar Factory and an Indian company singed a contract agreement amounting over 931 million birr providing for the expansion of the former here on Monday. Factory Manager, Mekasha Ketiyibelu and Uttam Sucrotech International Pvt. Limited Company Managing Director, Rajan Adlakha singed the contract agreement. As per the agreement the expansion work would be completed in two years time. According to ENA, Mekasha on the occasion said the factory is developing 6,000 hectares of land by itself and 1,022 hectares on plots of farmers’ cooperation. He said the factory is producing 740,000 quintals of sugar yearly. When the expansion work completed the crashing capacity of the factory would reach to 120,000 tons per day and the production capacity of the factory would be enhanced. The expansion project would have a paramount importance to improve the livelihood of the local farmers. The 91 million USD budget for the expansion projects was secured from India’s EXIM Bank through loan and the balance would be covered by the Ethiopian government.

 Authority sinking 53 water wells with 168mln birr in Addis

The Addis Ababa Water Sewerage Authority is carrying out the digging of 53 deep water wells that would enhance the supply of potable water in the metropolis at a cost of over 168 Million Birr. Authority General Manager, Getachew Eshete told ENA that the budget was secured from the government and the World Bank for the execution of the safe water projects in various part of the metropolis. The water projects are being carried out in Yeka, Bole, Kolefe-Keranyo sub-cities where there is shortage of potable water, he said. The budget for the sinking of some 28 deep wells was secured from the government. The General Manager said the digging of the deep water wells is nearing completion and installation of pipe lines, water pumps and related works would be carried out soon. He said three of the deep wells around in an area locally called Ferensay Legasion have already been completed. Getachew said the deep water wells, including some 28 deep water wells sank last year, have the capacity of generating 46,380 cubic meters waters per day. The projects would benefit over 920, 000 residents of the metropolis when they go fully operational.

Office collects 87mln birr revenue

More than 87 million Birr revenue was collected in Adama town over the past six months, the town's Administration office said. Administration deputy mayor, Abdulaziz Dawud told ENA on Monday that the revenue collected during the reported time exceeds the target by 24 million Birr. He attributed the increase to the coordinated effort exerted by the administration, Finance and Economic Development office and employees of town's Municipality to increase the revenue. The increased investment flow to the town has also contributed to the better performance in revenue collection. Abdulaziz said that the town's growth is exemplary in the ongoing efforts to make Ethiopia one of the middle income economies.

Over 70mln birr condos inaugurated

Condominium houses constructed in Yeka Sub-City at a cost of more than 70 million Birr was inaugurated on Tuesday, the Sub-City's Housing development Project office said. Sub-City administration manager, Zenebe Kebede handed over the condominiums keys to the beneficiaries. Office manager, Tekletsadik Teklearegay said the eight buildings constructed in Kotebe area have the capacity of accommodating 1,177 households. Various organizations have participated in the construction of the houses, he said and added that the fund for constructing the houses was secured from the government. He said the office is also constructing additional 127 buildings in various parts of the Sub-City. Manager of Housing Development Project Office with the Addis Ababa Care Taker Administration, Tsedale Mamo on the occasion called on the people to properly utilize the houses. The beneficiaries who received the houses appreciate the government's effort being made to address housing problem in the City.