Drafting and planning projects accelerating pace of urbanization

The drafting and planning of projects undertaken since independence have a significant contribution to make in facilitating the urbanization, Stated Eng. Medhanie Estifanos, director general of town development in the Ministry of Public Works.

Asmara, 24 April 2010 – The drafting and planning of projects undertaken since independence have a significant contribution to make in facilitating the urbanization, Stated Eng. Medhanie Estifanos, director general of town development in the Ministry of Public Works.

He explained that drafting, planting and implementation tasks were accomplished as regards 142 major projects over the past 19 years along with the necessary study to review and improve such projects. Eng. Medhane further indicated that the drafting task has so far been effected  on the total area of 35,000 hectares, out of which 21% was in the Southern region, 10% in Anseba region, 14% in Gash-Barka region, 19% in Northern Red Sea region, 7.5% in Southern Red Sea region and 29.5% in the Central region. 

He went on to say that about 117 major projects comprising 128,206 plots of land have been accomplished, out of which 641,000 plots were identified for residential purposes. About 38 million Nakfa has been disbursed for the program, Eng. Medhane elaborated.

Moreover, the director general pointed out that the department carried out 5-month survey for about 5 months in a bid to identify the quality and quantity of residential houses, as well as explore the shortage and demand  of residential houses. Various training courses focusing on computer-related technical works were also offered to staff members so as to upgrade their skill and competence.

The town development department focuses on housing and town policies, the implementation and designing of town infrastructure facilities, as well as undertaking drafting and planning activities dealing with potable water and electricity installation works.