The rehabilitation and restoration project of the Kebena River has been discontinued for four months following the delay of a 3.5 million euro disbursement from the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS).

The riverbank stretching 5.4Km from Entoto to the German Embassy along the Kebena River north of the capital was planned to be carried out with five million euros obtained as part of a grant from the Italian government disbursed in three phases, with the first 10pc payment already made. According to officials, the second phase was planned to be disbursed following the selection of a consultant and a contractor.

The Addis Abeba Urban Beautification & Green Development Bureau, under Tsigereda Worku, awarded the contract to Aser Construction Plc for 2.9 million euros in August after floating an international tender that included a feasibility study, design and construction.

Managers at the construction company confirmed they had not received a specific date or details on how to commence construction despite getting the contract, fearing the project might slip out of their hands.

Established in 2009, Aser has worked on several large-scale projects, including the two phases of Bole International Airport Expansion, Eastern Industry Zone and Bole Ring Road utility line construction. Most of the projects were outsourced contracts from the China Road & Bridge Corporation.

"We are waiting for a green light from the Bureau," said an executive that requested anonymity.

The Project Manager at the Bureau, Tages Gebrekristos, claims the Agency believes the plan of action from the Bureau had taken too long. He reasoned that most project delays result from unforeseen setbacks and not due to the inefficacy of administrators, recalling the Bekeyatu Riverside project stretching 27Km that was delayed for two years due to relocation disputes.

“The war and pandemic had caused the delay on our side,” said Tages.

Following the peace agreement, the project manager expects good news in the coming weeks.

The Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), headquartered in Rome, was established in 2016 to align Italy with its global partners through development. It runs a base in Addis Abeba and 20 field offices worldwide for assessing local needs and implementing development initiatives.

Arianna Catalano, the deputy head of mission at the Italian Embassy in Addis Abeba, said the global pandemic prevented the project from proceeding as intended, primarily the disbursement of funds.

"We are now ready to go ahead with the disbursement," she said.