A newly established office to develop rivers in Addis Abeba is to launch 14 projects throughout the city. These will be spread out across the rivers and riversides in the capital and will bid to make the city among the cleanest in Africa.
The Addis Abeba River & Riversides Development Project Office was established just last year. It will be involved in the integrated development of rivers, implementing tasks to overcome soil erosion along the banks and flood exposed areas of the city. The aforementioned projects will be implemented on rivers that include – Kebena, Banche Yeketu, Kortame, Bulbula and Lequ, which cover around 600km within the city limits.
In this respect, Addis Abeba University is conducting a detailed study of the rivers in five thematic areas, including socio-economic aspects and issues related with pollution. The university conducted the study at a total cost of 34 million Br and already presented the inception report a couples of month ago. The Project Office will receive the full report next month.
The task of cleaning the city will be conducted in line with the tenth master plan, said Debela Beru, deputy head of the Office.
The master plan envisions developing parks and public spaces across every administrative level – city, district and wereda. In this respect, rivers are underlined as a spot for such development. In the coming five and ten years, the city will open five parks along the rivers, and develop 10km of bicycle paths and walkways. This project will transform close to 50ha of land and utilise it for income-generating activities. Moreover, a data centre about the rivers’ status, covering many aspects, will be commissioned.
Along the rivers and riversides, it is estimated that 85 people live within one hectare of land. Close to 50 households are expected to be relocated.
The pilot project is expected to commence when AAU finalises its study. The project will start on the river that extends from Orma Garadge/Sheraton Hotel -Eri Bekentu – to Afencho Ber – the river that extends from the centre of the city out towards Entoto. This river covers 2.8km and 39ha of land. This integrated development will be implemented at a cost of 238 million Br. As of this year, the city plans to complete 50pc of its vision.
The extension river from Afencho Ber to Entoto, will soon have its design conducted. The same goes for the Ghio-Entoto river. The latter covers close to 400ha of land, with the Office planning to transform it in a way that provides both economic and social services to the city.
Additionally, rivers in the northern side of the city will have to deal with projects that are believed to reduce their levels of erosion. Rives such as Gelaglae, located in Gulele district, Wereda 3, has exposed the nearby areas to landslides – the same is true of the Jemo river.
Parks along the riversides, walkways and bicycle paths will be developed. Trees, predominantly indigenous, will be planted along the sides. Plots will also be available for urban agriculture activities. The Office has been established for a five-year term. However, the task may take up to 20 years, said Debella.
The office will announce a contract in the coming months for the Orma Garadge/Sheraton Hotel- Eri Bekentu to Afencho Ber, soon after it receives the design and detailed study
Issues surrounding who will operate the parks and agriculture projects will be decided by directives, said Debella. So far, the city’s agriculture has no legal framework and no licensing body.
In this respect, the Office is already preparing a directive on urban agriculture business.
| Addis fortune |
