Semera Growing, Benefiting its Residents

Semera May 20/2018 With the strong commitment of the Regional Council Semera, the capital of Afar Regional State, is exhibiting fast growth in various socio-economic aspects, residents said. Multiple efforts were undertaken in realizing the vision of making Semera the city that offers modern, healthy and prosperous life for its residents. One of residents Semera, who once had served as administrator of the city for three years, Nesri Burahabba told ENA that the prevailing socio-economic changes of the city were brought by the regional council’s strong commitment of implementing the appropriate strategies. Moreover, the changes that positively impacted the livelihood of residents, shifting the region’s capital city from Asayta to Semera had also helped the region to promote its unique cultural heritages, he added. Recalling that Semera had been under the administration of Asab during the military regime, Nesri said “After the downfall of Derg, we were and still are administrating our region. Semera, the new and master planned capital of the region is one of the results.” According to him, residents of the city, which is growing due to the abundant opportunities it offers, are benefiting a lot from the ongoing developments of infrastructural expansion. “Youth, through the remarkable changes being registered like housing, construction of roads, and expansion of water, sanitation and electric supply infrastructure developments, are transforming their lives,” he pointed out. Yasin Mohammed, another resident said years ago the city was no better than a devastated military camp. After taking the crown to be the capital of the region, it has gained much attention of the regional government which in turn resulted in attaining rapid growth. Owner of two hotels in Logiya and resident of the city for the last 24 years, Zenebech Abreha said that the city she had known for long is currently blooming in various economic sectors. There were no social services in the then vacant city of Semera including health, education, she recalled. People were suffering from malaria, mainly subjected to death due to inaccessibility of health facilities, she added. “If we take a look at the ongoing developments of Semera city, it is visible that the city is moving steadfast,” Zenebech pointed out. She said investment is boosting while individuals are inflowing to startup business in the growing city of Semera, and added that she has started building its third hotel in the business promising city. City Mayor of Semera-Logiya, Mousa Mahmuda said various successful economic and social developments were attained over the past two and half decades. There were no hotels, institutes or offices except the small hall which was used for geothermal activities, the Mayor said, adding that “today Semera has become one of the business centers in the region”. Semera University, airport, stadium and hospital are among the infrastructural development built in the newly growing capital of the regional state.