From: Berhane Habtemariam (Berhane.Habtemariam@gmx.de)
Date: Wed Sep 02 2009 - 14:24:41 EDT
Meeting of Eritrean Ministerial Cabinet underway
By Staff
Sep 2, 2009, 10:39
Asmara, 2 September 2009 - A meeting of the Eritrean Cabinet of Ministers
opened today at the Denden Hall here in the capital.
In a working paper he presented at the opening session, President Isaias
Afwerki shed light on the national action plan mapped out to provide added
impetus to the ongoing development endeavors in the year 2010-2011 in
different parts of the country towards reinforcing the achievements being
registered in efforts to attain food security through avoiding
rain-dependent agricultural practices.
Indicating that agriculture is the cornerstone of the national economy, the
President outlined the action program designed to create conducive ground
for other sectors, including fisheries, mining, infrastructure and the
services to make enhanced contribution in the country’s Gross National
Product (GNP) on priority basis.
He further pointed out that institutional competence and effectiveness are
prerequisites for the speedy and effective implementation of national
development programs, and as such the task of identifying, strengthening and
streamlining the competence of institutions remains one of the major
components of the nation-building process. In this respect, President Isaias
gave detailed briefings on the envisaged programs focusing on streamlining
and restructuring organizational capacity and human recourse potentials in
all government and PFDJ institutions.
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Stating that accurate information system is one of the factors for upgrading
work performance, he explained in detail the tasks being accomplished and
future programs towards establishing and developing information centers. The
President went on to say that the duty of ministries is to formulate policy,
ensure control, undertaking study and resources, as well as develop human
resource capacity. In this regard, President Isaias pointed out that the
necessary steps would be taken to strengthen work performance on the basis
of proper assessment of the ministries’ strong and weak aspects.
Noting that the building of lean, clean, competent and effective government
institutions has long been a clearly defined national objective, he
explained that the task of restructuring government and PFDJ institutions
along with their human resource capacity through diagnosing such
institutions based on the aforementioned criteria is one of the major
programs envisaged for the coming months.
Moreover, President Isaias stressed that taking into account that the nation
is located in a very volatile region, we need to look beyond the horizon and
exert relentless efforts towards reinforcing our capability of turning any
possible events to our advantage through accurately and objectively reading
possible national challenges and opportunities.
Following the President’s in-depth briefings, the Cabinet of Ministers
conducted extensive deliberations on human resource assignment and
management, as well as upgrading institutional and workforce competence,
besides holding detailed discussion on the working paper.
The meeting also reviewed sector by sector the accomplishments registered as
regards the progress made in the implementation of development programs on
the part of all ministries over the past 8 months. Concerning the
Agriculture Ministry’s work accomplishment report and action program for
2010, it discussed at length the need to set up agricultural laboratories,
as well as research and study centers in those areas where large-scale
farming activities are being undertaken.
Regarding the existing manpower resource in the sector, the Ministerial
Cabinet took note of the leading role which the available trained personnel
play in the effective implementation of agricultural projects. Besides, it
assessed the significant contribution made as a result of the introduction
of various technologies and machineries in doing away with unduly reliance
on labor-based agricultural activities. The meeting subsequently approved
agricultural development programs for the year 2010.
Also reviewing the tasks accomplished in implementing infrastructure
development projects, the Ministerial Cabinet conducted discussion on the
programs envisaged for 2010 as regards putting in place new infrastructure
facilities and upgrading the standard of the existing ones. Furthermore, the
meeting reached understanding on the need for national housing construction
plan so as to ensure the standard and durability of residential housing
construction in all areas in a coordinated manner. Taking note of the
drafting and quality control schemes carried out in various urban and
semi-urban centers, it exchanged views on future work plans in this domain.
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In the sphere of land, sea and air transport, as well as communications, the
meeting conducted deliberation on the endeavors made to ensure efficient and
safe transport service, upgrade infrastructure facilities, enhance the
expansion and quality of fixed and mobile phone service, strengthen postal
and internet services, in addition to the introduction of technological
know-how and building manpower resources in the sector. It also approved
future work plans.
The Ministerial Cabinet meeting went on to assess the task undertaken to
promote domestic and international tourism, as well as popularizing tourism
attraction sites, in addition to the efforts made to encourage investment in
the sector.
Also in its deliberations on land, water and environment, the meeting
assessed the effectiveness of land allotment schemes for agricultural and
other purposes, as well as its future handling. Moreover, it reviewed the
endeavors exerted to promote judicious utilization and management of water
resource, identify underground water resource and ensure sound ecology.
Following exchange of views on present and future projects aimed at ensuring
potable water supply in both urban and rural areas, the Ministerial Cabinet
meeting emphasized the need to reinforce all-round efforts towards providing
reliable potable water supply nationwide.
The meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers would continue tomorrow.
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