Mendefera, 10 October 2008 – President Isaias Afwerki conducted a two-day inspection tour of infrastructure and agricultural programs in the Southern region, during which he held meetings with representatives of the people, Administrators, heads of different construction projects and Army commanders. In the course of the visit from October 9 to 10, the President inspected the Egila-Demhina road which is being constructed along tough terrain. He received briefings by heads of the Bidho Construction Company on the efforts being made to finalize the project soon. President Isaias reminded them to construct efficient canals, bridges and walls so as to protect the road from excessive flooding.

Also in the course of the inspection tour, he visited the Adi-Keih Church which was damaged by the TPLF regime’s aerial bombardment and now being rebuilt through coordinated efforts of the people and the Government. The President also observed the strategic crops planted in different areas. Furthermore, he inspected the implementation of projects aimed at boosting output around the extensive plains of Hazomo through utilizing waters from the Hadadm water diversion scheme, Shiro and Dekialfai stream, as well as micro-dams and water diversion schemes in Una-Andom. President Isaias stressed the need for implementing in advance the program charted to cultivate the 20,000-hectares Hazemo plains through modern farming methods by the year 2009.

Noting the significance of creating conducive ground for the local inhabitants so as to enhance their contribution in efforts to achieve food security, he stressed the need to plant selected crops on a large scale. Moreover, the President observed the newly constructed road in Emni-Haili sub-zone at a cost of 2 million Nakfa, the expense of which was covered by the local inhabitants, in addition to those areas in Adi-Quala sub-zone with tourism potentials. In a meeting he conducted with representatives of the people of the region, Administrators, Army commanders and members of the Bidho Construction Company, President Isaias pointed out that the Government is implementing major development programs that would lay solid ground for attaining higher productivity.

Indicating that temporary problems would be met through the ongoing vigorous efforts, the President stated that doing away with hurdles is a task that should not be put aside, and that added that the current temporary problems would be history in the near future. In the course of the tour of inspection, the President was accorded warm welcome by the population.