Foreign Companies, Embassies Pledge to Support Sheger Beautification Project

Addis  Ababa  April 26/2019  Foreign companies and embassies have shown interest for the ‘Dine for Sheger’ event, a fundraising dinner that Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed will host in May to make Addis Ababa green and clean, according to the Office of the Prime Minister.

The ‘Dine for Sheger’ event has scheduled for early May to raise funds for a project that aimed at developing river banks in the city. The value of the tickets for the event has set at five million Birr per person.

The fund to be raised from the dinner will be used to executing the project called “Beatifying Sheger”, which aimed at beautifying Addis Ababa.

In a tweet in February 2019, Office of the Prime Minister said: “To all business owners, company CEOs, int’l org. heads & members of the diplomatic community, we invite you to email your contact information tosheger@pmo.gov.et to submit your interest in registering for the ‘Dine for Sheger’ event.”

Nigusu Tilahun, Press Secretary of the Office of the Prime Minister said foreign companies and embassies based in Addis Ababa have pledged to assist efforts to change the face of the capital. However, Nigusu hesitated to name the companies and embassies that pledge to take part at the fundraising dinner.

“Many foreign companies and embassies have expressed their desire to participate on the Sheger Project. Particularly, some Chinese firms and businessmen including African countries are striving to develop the city.”

In addition to the ones that confirmed their attendance, Nigusu said a number of domestic business owners and CEOs and development partners will attend the dinner program.

 “This is our capital city and a political capital for Africa. However, Addis Ababa is not known for its neatness and greenery. That is why we are convinced to involve all business owners and companies as this project will not be attainable only by the government,” he stated.

The project aims at making the capital a tourist destination and converts the river banks, which currently are garbage areas, into green areas at a cost of 29 billion Birr.

Noting that the projects targets individuals, local and global businesses, international organizations and members of the diplomatic corps, Nigusu said it will help to change the image of the city.

It would also help to revive the city’s economy and boost urban tourism, the Press Secretary added.

By taking part in the fundraising, Nigusu said the business owners and companies would leave their foot-prints on the development of the city.

 “Above all, this fundraising program could send out a positive message on how we can put together resources and efforts for our own prosperity. Since ‘Beautifying Sheger’ project requires huge amount of capital, all stake holders need to pull together their efforts to build a beautiful city owned by all Ethiopians” he said.

While addressing the closing of a two-day discussion on the reform last month, Prime Minister Abiy said the project will enable Addis Ababa to become  one of the world’s tourism and hospitality destinations.

“Imagine, in every rainy season we have here in Ethiopia, there is a high temperature          in the whole Europe and the United States of America. During this time people want to escape the warmth and they will probably seek to come to Ethiopia” he said.

However, Addis Ababa has not the capacity to attract or entertain tourists due to poor infrastructure. He urged the need to develop infrastructure and build a standard city in order to maximize attract tourists and exploit the untapped potentials.

“This dinner program … is an investment that Ethiopia’s business owners participate on beautifying their own city and generate more resources”, he said, while urging the need for local companies to take part in the project.    

The Premier on the occasion had also announced that China has granted one-fourth of the fund needed for the project.

The Beautifying Sheger project is a three-year initiative of the Prime Minister to be completed within three years.

The main objectives of the project include making Addis Ababa as beautiful as its name indicates, elevating it to a destination of urban tourism and enhancing well-being of its residents.