Eritrea - Ministry of Information

Considering its necessity in life, water should be accessible to all living things through effective management. For this reason, the Government is striving to provide potable water supply to all corners of the country, as well as raising public awareness for proper utilization of every drop of water. Very recently, “Eritrean Water Proclamation” No. 162/2010 was issued as regards the efficient use of water and enhancing its socio-economic advantage. With the increasing demand of water in the country, it is of vital necessity to outline proclamation to manage the inadequate amount of water the country possess. The proclamation published in Tigrinya, English and Arabic languages, also includes the Legal Notice No. 117/2010 on regulations of Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS). Shabait conducted an interview with the Minister of Land, Water and Environment, Mr. Tesfai Gebreselasie, regarding the recent proclamation and on ways of implementing it. 

This year, it is expected that there would be a bumper harvest as result of the undertaking of agricultural development efforts in addition to the good rainy season. The farmlands in all parts of the country are showing satisfactory progress. Still, unremitting efforts are needed until the crops are properly harvested. Shabait conducted an interview with the Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Arefaine Berhe focusing on the agricultural activities during summer time.

Regulating and preserving the natural resource of the country is one of the main tasks of the Ministry of Agriculture.  This is aimed at restoring forestry that was natural beauty of the country once covering 30% of the total land area. The greenery campaigns undertaken every year through summer work program coupled with community based campaigns are some of the endeavors of this Ministry to this end.  Shabait conducted an interview with Mr. Estifanos Beyin, Director of natural resources regulatory division at the Ministry regarding the country’s vegetation distribution and conservation activities.

It is hard to expect bumper harvest depending on rain fed agricultural activities in Eritrea, because the amount and distribution of rainfall is usually unpredictable. For this very reason, the Government is engaged in developing water conservation schemes so as to conserve rain water and enrich underground water sources. In this manner, the availability of sufficient water could be secured and the plan to achieve food security on the basis of self-reliance could be effectively realized. As part of the Government's endeavors, various soil and water conservation activities are being carried out in the Central region. About 64 dams and 6 ponds with the capacity of holding 15 million cubic meters of water have been constructed. These reservoirs now hold about 12 million cubic meter of water. Shabait conducted an interview with the Administrator of the Central region, Mr. Kahsai Gebrehiwet regarding these water conservation endeavors and other topics. Excerpts follow:

Besides winning a trophy, sports competition is carried out to foster friendship and strengthen harmony among the participants. Indeed, the hosting of the 5th Central and Eastern Confederation of African Football Association (CECAFA) Cup under 20 in Eritrea was a true reflection of the sprit of sport. It could be said that the event paved a way for close ties among the national soccer teams of Eritrea, Tanzania, Sudan, Kenya, Somalia, Uganda, Rwanda and Zanzibar as well as Yemen. Besides, it was an eye-opening occasion for the participants to know about Eritrea and its hospitable people.  CECAFA is known as the oldest sub-regional football competitions in Africa and Eritrea became a member in 1994. At present, CECAFA has 11 members, and this year’s tournament was held under the theme ‘Friendship and Development’. Shabait conducted an interview with the General Secretary of CECAFA, Mr. Nicolas Misugne regarding the tournament held in Asmara. Excerpts follow:

Following substantial investment made by the Government to expand and upgrade the education system, impressive achievements have and are being registered in this domain. Access to school in all levels of education in general and higher level in particular has risen tremendously over the past years. The construction of seven colleges in various parts of the country had opened a new chapter in the country’s educational development. Pursuing degree and diploma level, which had been only accessible to a handful of students in the only University in the country, is now being made available to many citizens. Yet, the journey to further upgrade access to higher education in the country is continuing process. Dr. Tadesse Mehari, the Executive Director of the National Board of the Eritrean Institutions of Higher Education, conducted an interview regarding the advancement of further educational opportunities in the country. Excerpts follow: