Ethiopia Inaugurates Chinese Funded, Built Park

September 11 , 2020

Ethiopia has inaugurated the Chinese funded and built Sheger Park's Friendship Square on the eve of the New Year. The inauguration was held with the presence of President Sahle-Work Zewde, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD), Chinese Ambassador to Ethiopia Tan Jian, and 1,500 invited guests. Marked by a lakeside fountain, an artificial pond, and an active waterfall belt on the Banteyiketu River, the event showcased different parades by the Republican Guard and a marching band. Built for 50 million dollars, the project was handled by First Highway Engineering Group, a subsidiary of the mammoth China Communication Construction Corporation. The project includes the construction of a central square that rests on 32ha of land and rehabilitates 1.2Km of the Banteyiketu River. The inaugurated project is the first phase of the three-year Beautifying Sheger project that aimed at alleviating the capital city's condition to one of urban tourism and also rehabilitating two riverbanks stretching from Entoto to the Aqaqi River. The second phase of the project worth 54.8 million dollars was awarded to Jiangsu Nantong Sanjian Group to be delivered in 14 months. It will construct a science museum, children amusement park, sports centre and wedding space. It will develop 16ha of land and 10.5Km of the riverside rehabilitation.