Half year report released by the Ethiopian Roads Authority (ERA), shows Ethiopia has spent more than 9 billion Birr for the construction of roads in the first 6 months of the current fiscal year. The expense is close to one-fifth of the total budget allocated for the entire fiscal years.

The reporter by ERA shows the government spent more than 8 billion Birr for the execution of 495 kilometers road projects. On the other hand, for rehabilitation of 14 roads all over Ethiopia, the Authority spent close to 397 million Birr.
Ethiopia’s government plans to have a road network of 222,000 kilometers by the coming 3 years from 113,000 kilometers, from where it actually stands.

In the last 6 months, the Authority signed 14 road construction contracts. Out of these contracts, the most expensive is the 5 kilometers Debremarkos asphalt road, which is costing the government 43.2 million Birr.

The 6 months report by ERA included the unsatisfactory execution of 8 projects. 6 of these projects were in Oromia, the report noted. The other 2 were in Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples State and Gambella State.

Another issue revealed by the report was that the Authority was unable to show any progress at 17 ongoing projects for different reasons.

By the end of the current fiscal year, ERA aims to complete 8 road projects. According to Fortune, the Authority has already floated a tender to construct 11 road projects all over Ethiopia.

Source: Fortune