Abera W.kidan
23 December 2007
Addis Ababa — Corruption surrounding the proprietorship of land and the construction of illegal houses in Addis Ababa remains to be the toughest challenge for the city's government, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said on Friday.
Meles said the government was trying its level best to stamp out corruption in the city and to bring wrondoers to justice.
Corruption is worsening in the city and the levels are higher than in previous years, according to media reports which attach corruption to strong public services.
Marking the world anti-corruption day earlier this month, the federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission said it has been waging war against corruption in the country.
Meles said following tips from the public, the federal Anti-Corruption and Ethics has filed corruption cases against individuals including government officials.
But he said the public should not think of impunity as regards to the matter, seeing some accused persons out of prison on Bail.
Because, he said, releasing the accused from detention on bail does not mean acquitting from charges filed against him or her.
Meles said as part of the efforts to put the wave of corruption in check, the government will make use of the aerial map of the city to identify clearly those plots of lands awarded to individuals or organizations illegally and those that have been constructed contravening the city's master plan.
He said Problems that arise concerning the proprietorship of land have to do with the issuance of fake documentations ( Title Deeds and other related documents).
Meles said "now that we are able to get our hands on this valuable map, we will do all the necessary." He said those who managed to grab a plot of land bribing an official, or carried out construction illegally under cover, had better come out and acknowledge their wrong doing to minimize punitive actions against them later on..
"But there is no way these individuals can get away with what they did," Meles said to the laud applaud from the audience.
Meles was speaking at a consultative meeting held on Friday at the Ethiopian Millennium Hall with Women's Forums in Addis Ababa where he discussed and gave answers to questions on a number of issues ranging from, women's rights, gender violence, city transportation, water, the provision of electric power and telephone bills.
Meles was speaking at a consulting meeting with Women's Forums in Addis Ababa to where he discussed and gave answers to questions revolving on a number of issues ranging from, women's rights, gender violence. City transportation, water, the provision of electric power and telephone bills.
Meles stressed the importance of empowering women to boost their role in development endevors of the nation.
He said educating women was crucial for overall wellbeing of their children who he said are the next leaders of their country.
In a strong advocacy of anti gender violence, Meles called men who commit rape Dogs.
In his response on the water problem, Meles said the water shortage in the city owing to influx to the city from the regions, coupled with poor distribution system, has become a big problem which the government has to deal with.
He said works have to be done to change the old distribution system.
His remarks on the infamous Ethiopian Telecommunication Corporation made the audience laugh.
"It is not clear if it is the computers or the people who work there who went mad," Meles said on the corporation's faulty billing system.
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