The European Union (EU) delegation to Ethiopia said it is going to provide 540 million euros financing to Ethiopian government over the coming five years in support the country’s effort to build roads in rural areas.
Since 1997 the EU has been financing rural road development of the country investing 400 million euros, according to Antonio Capone, Second Secretary of and head of infrastructure section at the EU delegation to Ethiopia, which represented 16 European countries.
“The result achieved in the road sector are remarkable. The country’s road network has increased from 26,000 kilometers in 1997 to almost 100,000 kilometers in 2014”, he said, at the press conference in the EU premise in Addis Ababa last week.
“As a result, the road density per 1000 square kilometers has increased from 24 kilometers in 1997 to 90.5 kilometers in 204. The condition of road network has improved substantially. The proportion of road network in good condition increased from 22 percent in 1997to 70 percent in 2014,” Mr. Capone, said.
He also noted that the average travel time in rural areas to reach an all-season road in 2007, which was 4.5 hours has now reduced to less 2 hours. “The percentage of population living within 2 kilometers from an all-weather road has increased each year by 2 percent and today more than 65 percent of kebeles (local districts) have access to the national road network including during the rainy season,” Mr. Capone noted.
He also mentioned that currently discussions with Ethiopian government is underway for possible intervention of EU to support the construction of Awash – Togo Wachale – Berbera corridor.
– See more at: http://www.newbusinessethiopia.com/index.php/construction/31-construction/657/657#sthash.K0a9on6U.dpuf
Source:: strathink.net
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