Local contractors in Ethiopia have been hailed for doing a good job a group of journalists recently had an opportunity to visit a road construction project underway in a very high mountainous and terrain area around Ras Dashen being done by local contractors.
The construction of the 73 kilometer Buhait -Dil yibza road is being done by Satcon Construction Company, a local firm and the 65 kilometer Debrk Buhait road being constructed by Ecore Local Construction Company, also a local firm. In addition, the consultancy and supervision work is being done by Icon Consulting Engineering Private Limited Company, the local one.
In a media brief at the site, the Director Ethiopian Road Authority Communication Directorate Samson Wondimu said that the 138 km Debark-Buhait Dil yibza new asphalt road construction project ongoing at a cost of 1.6 billion Birr in North Gonder Zone.
Samson also added that the projects fully owned by local contractors, supervised and consulted by local firms. Such engagement has allowed the local construction companies to develop their overall capacity and ability thereby playing a significant role in national development.
According to Samson, the government has attached a lot of importance to building the capacity of local contractors with the aim of increasing their competitiveness at the international platform. The Debark-Buhait-Dil yibza project is exemplary in this regard.
He also added that at the moment several local contractors and consultancy firms are involved in several road construction projects hence strengthening their technical, institutional and financial abilities.
When completed, the road will interlink the northern Gondar woredas such as Debark, Janamora- Dilyibza and others.
Importantly, the route will also help in developing and enhancing tourism activities since it is next to Semien Mountain National Park. The environment is a strategic area for tourism activities, according to the director. It also helps reduce the transportation cost of agricultural products in the area and its environs.
On his part,Eng. Abraham Teklay, the Road Project Manager Buhait-Dilyibza  said that constructing road at such very mountainous and difficult terrain is a challenge. However, his company is aggressively and professionally working and the project is almost complete.
The manager added that the wide experience gained from the project has helped build the confidence level of the company to compete in other construction bids.
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