“First 100 Days” Plan Adrenalin, Says Planning, Dev’t Commissioner

Addis Ababa Novenmber 10/2018 Setting the first 100 days plan has given ministries the adrenalin to work more and perform better, Planning and Development Commissioner Fitsum Assefa remarked. In an exclusive interview with ENA, she said the motivation and the positive energy of the people following the directive to prepare the plan is amusing. “Setting the first 100 days plan gave people the adrenalin to be alert in checking the purpose and trying to contribute to the vision,” the Commissioner added. According to Fitsum, the first 100 days plan should be used for setting baseline, scanning the environment, and checking what has been done in achieving the goals of the Growth and Transformation Plan. “What sector organizations, including my commission, should do is check short-term solutions, for instance approaches and strategies to better perform the goals set,” she explained. The Commissioner noted that the first 100 days plan, in addition to cooperation and teamwork, has brought competitive spirit to perform better. “The contract signed with the House of People’s Representatives (HPR) definitely adds accountability,” she stated. Ethiopian Development Research Institute (EDRI) Executive Director, Yohanness Ayalew said research institutions like EDRI and think tanks should support and assist the ministries in providing research-based evidences and solutions. The first 100 days plan “gives opportunity for the ministers to think longer, deeper and wider on what they want to achieve at the end of their term consistent with the vision of the country,” he pointed out. The Executive Director also said “respective institutions should identify their stakeholders and approach them in order to get ideas and maintain their involvement.” Yohanness noted that the plan is a new beginning and very important because it gives impetus to the achievement of the plan. He further indicated the need for creating platforms to enhance the participation of the community at grass root levels and address their real problems.