Addis Ababa is experiencing a visible transformation as Mayor Adanech Abiebie inaugurated a series of new public service projects, including modern shopping centres, expansive vehicle parking facilities, and vibrant children's entertainment zones dispersed throughout the city.
The projects, already open for use, signify a concerted effort to modernise the capital, create employment, and enhance the overall quality of life for its residents.
The highlight of the inauguration was the opening of 23 parking areas and terminals stretching from Legehar to Mexico Square, along the route leading to the African Union headquarters.
These facilities offer parking space for over 3,700 vehicles simultaneously, addressing a significant need in the rapidly growing metropolis where congestion has long been a concern.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Mayor Adanech Abiebie emphasised the city administration’s commitment to accelerated and efficient development. Adanech specifically highlighted the SEKATE Shopping Centre and Vehicle Parking Area in the Arada Sub City. Previously, she explained, this area served merely as a passageway during major events such as the African Union summits, lacking the aesthetic appeal befitting a capital city.
"These projects represent a multi-faceted approach to urban development. They offer alternative and convenient shopping options for our citizens, provide much-needed parking solutions, create dedicated spaces for children to play and learn, generate numerous job opportunities, and, importantly, contribute to the overall beautification of our beloved city," Mayor Adanech pinpointed.
According to the Mayor, the SEKATE Shopping Centre is envisioned as a modern commercial hub, providing local businesses with a platform to thrive and residents with a convenient location to access goods and services.
The integrated parking facility will alleviate traffic congestion in the Arada District, a historically significant area of Addis Ababa. The addition of children's playgrounds offers families a safe and engaging recreational space, fostering a sense of community and well-being.
This recent unveiling is not an isolated event but part of a larger trend. The Mayor reported that in the 2017 Ethiopian fiscal year alone, the Addis Ababa City Administration completed over 19,000 projects.
This demonstrates a sustained and ambitious drive to improve infrastructure, services, and overall living conditions across the city, the City Mayor indicated.
While specific details about future project plans were not disclosed, the Mayor alluded to ongoing initiatives aimed at further enhancing the city’s infrastructure, improving public services, and creating a more sustainable and vibrant urban environment.
The focus, she indicated, remains on projects that directly benefit the citizens of Addis Ababa and contribute to the city’s continued growth and prosperity. The newly opened facilities serve as a tangible demonstration of this commitment. The success of these projects is expected to pave the way for further development initiatives that align with Addis Ababa’s vision of becoming a world-class African city, Mayor Adanech revealed.
