Members of the Ethiopian-Somali Community in the UK
buy bonds worth 7.18 million Birr
buy bonds worth 7.18 million Birr
PRESS RELEASE
March 14, 2012 - LONDON
Members of the Ethiopian Somali Community in the UK have raised £183,850 (5.1million birr) in cash by buying Renaissance Dam bonds and have pledged a further £75,000 (2.08 million birr) bringing the total to 7.18 million birr. They did so at a meeting on 4th March, held in the presence of a high-level Government delegation led by H.E. Abdi Mohammud Omer, President of the Somali Regional State.
Involvement by the business community was very high, reflecting a determination to support the construction of the Renaissance Dam.
In an inspirational speech at the meeting, President Abdi commended the active involvement by community members in both national and regional development drives in the areas of investment and trade. He encouraged them in their conviction to see through the construction of the dam by purchasing bonds.
Citizens from all walks of life, he said, should take the initiative to buy the Bonds in support of the grand scheme, which is at the centre of the five-year Growth and Transformation Plan, which will support a faster rate of growth, in turn feeding the economy with the power it needs. He briefed the meeting about development activities in the Somali regional State focusing on education, health and infrastructure development that has been transforming living conditions. The president called for a heightened role for the Diaspora to ensure success in making poverty history.
H.E. Berhanu Kebede, Ethiopian Ambassador to the UK, urged members of the Ethiopian Somali community to raise to a new high their engagement in nation building efforts through the purchase of Bonds, which he said is pivotal for the attainment of speedy economic growth.
Earlier, Ambassador Abdirashid Dulane, the Deputy Head of the Ethiopian Mission in London, called on community members to contribute their share, displaying their resolve for the on-going nation building efforts.
Members of the community resolved to do what it takes for the realization of the construction of the Renaissance dam.
The Ethiopian Embassy in London has so far mobilized an equivalent of10 million birr in cash in Bond sales and another 4.1 million in pledges bringing the total sum to 14.1 million birr.
Meanwhile, a documentary film entitled Silent Cry Freedom of Peace was premiered at the Copthorne Tara Hotel in the presence of H.E. President Abdi Mohamud Omer and hundreds of members of the Ethiopian Somali community residing in the UK.
The film depicts the atrocities committed by ONLF,a terrorist group bent on undermining peace and stability in the Somali region of Ethiopia. It also shows the economic success stories brought about as a result of the protracted effort of the regional administration and the Federal Government of Ethiopia.
The economic transformation of the region proved beyond doubt how the life of the people in the region is changing. The documentary investigates the situation on the ground showing the determination of the people making headway in all spheres of endeavour including education, health, irrigation, communication and infrastructure. It also narrates the suffering inflicted by anti-peace forces on people particularly those who were made orphans after losing families as a result of the atrocities committed by the terrorist group, ONLF.
The film reflects on the bright future awaiting youngsters in the region as development activities gain momentum through the active participation and ownership of the process by the people. Silent Cry is a charity founded in 2009 by a group of young students who wanted to illustrate the changes they would like to see in the world.
For further information please contact the Ethiopian Embassy Press Office on 0207 838 3883 or email info@ethioembassy.org.uk.