Department Heads Highlight Development Accomplishments In Anseba Region

Department heads in the Anseba regional Administration said that the implementation of development programs focusing on expansion and upgrading of social services in the region over the past 20 years have brought about visible change in improving the people’s standard of living. In an interview they conducted in connection with the forthcoming symposium of the region set to be  held from May 5 to 6, they highlighted the tasks accomplished in putting in place infrastructure facilities, expanding social services and enhancing economic development.Keren, 4 May 2011 – Department heads in the Anseba regional Administration said that the implementation of development programs focusing on expansion and upgrading of social services in the region over the past 20 years have brought about visible change in improving the people’s standard of living. In an interview they conducted in connection with the forthcoming symposium of the region set to be  held from May 5 to 6, they highlighted the tasks accomplished in putting in place infrastructure facilities, expanding social services and enhancing economic development.

The director general of social services, Ms. Zeineb Omar, stated that the number of educational institutions ranging from kindergarten to secondary level has increased by 672% and the number of teachers rose by 377%. The number of student has also registered a growth of 509% as a result of the substantial investment made in the education sector. 

Also in line with the investment made in the health sector, the number of health institutions has increased by 414%, while the number of health professionals rose by 600%. In this connection, Ms. Zeineb explained that mother and child mortality rate has dramatically dropped.

The director general of economic development in the region, Mr. Kibrom Andemichael, said on his part that although there exist about 368, 000 land for cultivation, only 64,000 hectares have so far been put under cultivation. He further noted the efforts being undertaken to boost crop harvest and improve the farmers’ living standard through offering training, select seeds and farming tools.

Likewise, the director general of infrastructure development, Mr. Gebru Haile, pointed out that  communications facilities that were limited  to Keren prior to independence have now been expanded across the region. He indicated that road networks have been constructed at an expenditure of over 265 million Nakfa running from Keren to Geleb, Keren to Halhal and Keren to Afabet.

Mr. Gebru further explained that 1.4 billion Nakfa was disbursed for putting in place service-rendering institutions and infrastructure facilities in the region over the past 20 years. 65% of the population in the region has also got access to potable water supply, he added.

Moreover, Mr. Gebru  noted that land coverage of mobile and fixed phone service has reached 30%, and that access to coverage presently stands at 55%. Indicating that electricity service has been installed in 6 sub-zones and over 25 villages, Mr. Gebru pointed out that 35% of the population in the region has become beneficiaries of power supply.