Posted by Shabait Staff on Aug 1, 2003, 20:49

Eritrea’s Ministerial Cabinet convened today to discuss bi-annual reports of various ministries.

In the morning hours, the cabinet heard and discussed the Ministry of Agriculture’s report. The Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Arefaine Berhe said his ministry’s main focus over the last six month aimed at finding alternatives to rain-fed agriculture and introducing irrigation system to guarantee food security. The minister said irrigation and semi-irrigation agricultural schemes are already being carried out in Goluj, Shi’ib and Hazemo and that foreign experts will be coming to share their expertise on ways to further boost such agricultural drives.

The minister said three micro-dams, 79 check dams and water canals capable of irrigating 20 thousand hectares of agricultural areas, as well as terraces and embankments are being constructed through the involvement of the public, parallel to programs of water conservation underway in various parts of the country.

With the regards to the pest infestation over 13 thousand hectares of crop fields this year, Mr. Arefaine Berhe said the ministry of agriculture in coordination with the public and administrations has been able to bring the infestation under control. He also said that the ministry is also embarking on integrated efforts in securing the provision of animal feed.

The Cabinet of Ministers then heard the Ministry of Fisheries’ report. After underlining that fishery is a reliable source and a major factor for food security, the ministerial cabinet agreed that more focus needs to be given to this sector by enhancing fishing activities and capacity and by ensuring the provision of storehouses and the necessary logistics.

Following in-depth discussions on the two reports presented, the cabinet of ministers agreed that activities already in place in agriculture and fisheries to guarantee food security should continue to gain momentum and for water conservation programs to move forward.

During the afternoon session, the ministries of tourism, public works and transport and communications presented their bi-annual reports to the ministerial cabinet.

In her report, the Minister of Tourism, Ms. Amna Nurhussein said Eritrea hosted close to 33 thousand visitors over the past six months, furthermore adding that advancement in the tourism industry and products to complement available natural resources could attribute to a dramatic increase in the number of tourists.

After pointing out that visitors continue to express great interests in Eritrea’s coastal areas, Ms. Amna said the ministry received 14 proposals for investment in the sector for the construction of hotels and recreation centers. While 10 of the proposals have already been given the green light, the remaining 4 are on the pipelines. In the ministry’s efforts to sell Eritrea’s potentials to the world outside, Ms. Amna said a documentary film has been prepared in five languages including Arabic and English.

The next report by the Minister of Public Works, Mr. Abraha Asfaha focused on the construction of residential homes, road works, bridges, dams, rehabilitation of ports and feasibility study on related projects. The minister said that based on the efforts underway to alleviate the shortage of housing, various local and foreign companies are actively engaged in the construction of residential complexes in 10 cities and towns, namely Massawa, Ghinda, Asmara, Dekemhare, Ti’o, Debarwa, Agordat, Mendefera, Barentu and Tessenei.

With regards to road works, Mr. Abraha Asfaha pointed out that the construction of new roads and renovation of deteriorating roads continues in various corners of the country with more than ten road construction projects in progress including the Massawa-Assab, Barentu-Tessenei and Serejekha-Shebah roads.

The minister then gave a detailed report on short, medium and long-term programs outlined by the ministry of public works.

Speaking next, the minister of transport and communications, Mr. Woldemichael Abraha said the initial phase in the rehabilitation of the Massawa Port has been completed and the necessary facilities are now being put in place for the second phase in the project to get underway. Mr. Woldemichael also said that the drafting of Eritrea’s maritime law is in the process.

On land transportation, the minister said that close to 2 thousand vehicles have been imported in over the last six months, thereby bringing to about 51 thousand the total number of motor vehicles in the country.

After debating on the reports presented by the three ministries in the afternoon, the cabinet of ministers called for the advancement of tourism projects with focus on practical programs. In the construction sector, the cabinet concurred that the government continues to step up efforts to control and bring down the sky-rising prices of construction equipment and house rental fees. In conclusion, the cabinet of ministers agreed for stringent control mechanisms to be put in place to control prices and for serious punitive measures to be imposed on individuals that overcharge the public in renting and selling homes.