Sewnet Abel’s experience in September last year highlights the hidden dangers of Addis Abeba’s streets. On his way home from work near Megenagna, the 33-year-old hotel worker fell into an open manhole. What should have been a festive Ethiopian New Year turned into weeks of pain.
Initially seeking help from traditional healers, he eventually required medical treatment at a government hospital. With his hand in a cast for a week, Sewnet now counts manholes on every road, walking with extra caution.
Across the city, pedestrians, especially the elderly and vulnerable, face severe injuries or even death from open manholes designed for road, water, sewerage, and telecom services.
For the visually impaired community, the danger is even greater. Ketema Belilign, inclusive learning approach coordinator at the Ethiopian National Association of the Blind, fell into a manhole near Sidist Kilo’s Anbessa Park in July, injuring his knee and side. “People rushed to help me,” he recalls.
Ketema says that blind students frequently gather around Sidist Kilo, where open manholes are increasing. Without proper legislation, he argues, the issue is like an additional handicap.
Manholes, vital for city infrastructure, provide access points for utilities like telecom, electricity, water, and sewage. They are crucial for urban drainage, yet many remain uncovered, posing safety hazards.
Causes range from damage by heavy vehicles to theft of metal reinforcements for scrap value. Theft is particularly prevalent in less-trafficked areas, where metal covers are easily removed and sold.
Concrete manhole covers, often reinforced with steel, are prone to damage from wear and tear or heavy traffic. Replacements are frequently delayed due to limited resources, heavy workloads, or neglect, compounding the risks for residents.
Hirut Shiferaw, a researcher at the Addis Abeba Fire & Disaster Risk Management Commission (FDRMC), says the agency is working to identify hazardous areas and raise awareness through research and outreach. She stated that manholes are often left open due to damage from heavy loads or theft by scrap metal thieves.
The Commission issues letters to responsible entities, including Ethio telecom, Addis Abeba Water & Sewage Authority (AAWSA), Addis Abeba Roads Authority (AARA), and Ethiopian Electric Utility (EEU), urging them to address the issue.
Hirut stated the number of manholes has increased over time, not only due to theft but also because they frequently break when vehicles drive over them. She urges residents to report damages as soon as they occur. According to the Commission, 13 people have died in open manholes in the past three years.
Ketema, from the Association, says narrow sidewalks, excessive poles, and manholes left open temporarily for cleaning without warning signs are additional dangers for the blind community.
He recalls the manhole he fell into being about two metres deep. Ketema didn’t report his incident because he felt no action would be taken.
Mohammed Awel, road administration director at the AARA, says most manhole covers are stolen. Over the past six months, the Authority aimed to close 1,600 open manholes but managed to fill only 900 due to capacity and cement shortages.
“We are researching alternative materials for manhole covers that are durable and meet quality standards,” Mohammed said.
Efforts to address the issue include regular patrols by road authorities to identify open manholes and collect data for repairs. Road maintenance crews focus on closing open manholes, prioritising high-traffic and public areas.
“The public is encouraged to report open manholes to local road maintenance offices,” said Mohammed.
The Authority is exploring alternative materials such as bamboo and fibre for manhole covers to make them less attractive to thieves. However, resource limitations, material shortages, and the recurring nature of the issue have hindered progress.
Last year, in the northern part of the city, only 77 manhole covers were installed, leaving 181 open. Priority was given to public areas, including religious and holiday sites. In Bole and Lemi Kura districts, 870 open manholes were closed last year.
“Protecting manhole covers requires joint efforts from road authorities and the public,” Mohammed stated. He called for public engagement, innovative solutions, and sustained efforts to safeguard urban infrastructure.
“The public can report such issues by calling the Authority,” he stated. Mohammed says that increased attention is being given to corridor development areas, with efforts to place warning signs near under-construction sites and manholes.
Ethiopia Bedecha, head of public relations at the Ministry of Urban & Infrastructure (MUI), stated that utility companies previously worked independently, resulting in social and financial losses. Two years ago, the Ministry began developing MoUs to coordinate public construction efforts across the city, reduce costs, and align with the city’s master plan.
The Ministry has the authority to halt ongoing construction and take action against utilities that fail to comply, Ethiopia noted. The Ethiopian Construction Authority (ECA), under the Ministry, is responsible for regulating construction quality.
Legal expert Gideon Woldeyohannes explained the concept of liability with fault, stating that people can sue for damages caused by open manholes. “They have two years to claim their losses,” he said, adding that those who leave manholes open are responsible for filling them.
The expert outlined three remedies: restoring manholes to their original state, compensating affected individuals, and using caution signs.
“Caution signs are essential during construction,” Gideon said. He stated that vehicles driving on pedestrian roads and poor utility practices are major contributors to the problem.
Senior architect and urban planner Yohannes Mekonnen says the standard distances between manholes are used for cleaning and other purposes. Leaving manholes open incurs legal penalties, according to him.
He urged utility companies to invest in theft-resistant covers with locking mechanisms that require special tools to open.
Yohannes cited a study from years ago that found 70pc of manholes in Addis Abeba were uncovered. “Things have improved,” he said, but added that more needs to be done. “Manholes should protect human health and safety, not endanger people.” He recommends warning signs be installed as they are critical components of construction standards.
PUBLISHED ON
Jan 19,2025 [ VOL
25 , NO
1290]
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