Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa is to install city clocks in different squares around the city it was said.
The first clock was designed, assembled and installed by Yohannes Abebe Printing and Advertising Company on the square opposite of Edna mall last week. The company expects to install an estimated 500 similar clocks across the city by the end of 2013.
The clocks are aimed to provide an alternative means of advertisement by offering an efficient and effective means of displaying information serving a dual purpose according to Debebe Fekadu, Marketing Manager of the company.
The advertisement will be seen by everyone who looks at the clocks to check the time he said.The company has invested more than 150,000 birr in the development of the city clocks over the last year said Debebe. The clocks were designed and assembled with technical advice from the Metal Engineering Corporation.
The company had originally planned to import the clocks from China but 5,800 US dollars for each proved to be too expensive resulting in the decision to assemble 90% of the clocks here with just the engines imported explained Debebe.
The engines are imported at 130 US dollars each and are powered by a heavy duty battery but it is expected that they can be converted for solar power in the future. The clock units are made of fiberglass reinforced with polyester which is resistant to weathering and sporting a four sided illuminated display module the clock and metal.
Source: Capital
