“For the sake of election, we shouldn’t cost a lot,” says PM

Addis Ababa, June 8, 2020 (FBC) –Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed said his party honors the decision made by the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) postponing the national elections.

At beginning of the outbreak of the virus, Prosperity Party was in favor of the elections to take place as per the initial plan, he said, while addressing the House of Peoples’ Representatives (HPR) today.

However, following the discussion held with chairperson of the Board, Birtukan Bedeksa, the party realized that it was a right decision to postpone the poll, he said.

“For the sake of election, we shouldn’t follow a system that costs us a lot,” the Prime Minister noted.

When asked about the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) project, he said, it is progressing well and the dam will begin to hold 4.9 billion cubic metres of water this rainy season.

Ethiopia is building the dam to develop, prosper and lift its people out of poverty, not to harm others, the Prime Minister stated.

“More than 50 million Ethiopians do not have access to clean water – that is almost the population of one country. More than 50 million do not have access to electricity,” he said.

“To this day Ethiopian mothers still carry fire wood. Meeting their basic rights and needs is of paramount importance,” the Prime Minister indicated.

“Development of GERD is therefore for our growth as it is equally to the benefit of lower riparian countries. Seeing this project in a positive light is therefore critical,” he added.

The Prime Minister further said that the recent conflict along the Ethio-Sudan border will be resolved only through diplomacy.

He also rejected the recent report of the Amnesty international.

Regarding Dembidollo University students, the Prime Minister said government has been undertaking various operations over the past months to find answers.

“We do not have a report of deaths nor are there any forces that have claimed the kidnapping. Nevertheless, many who have facilitated this incident have been reprimanded,” he said.

There are on-going efforts and the government has not shied away from putting in the required resources to address this issue.

At the end of the session the Prime Minister planted seedlings as part of this year’s Green Legacy efforts together with the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House.

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